Which term describes a benign bony outgrowth on the palate or mandible?

Which term describes a benign bony outgrowth on the palate or mandible?

• A. Sextant
• B. Interim denture
• C. Root
• D. Torus

Answer: (D)

A torus is a benign bony outgrowth in the oral cavity, known as an exostosis. When it occurs on the palate, it’s called torus palatinus, and when it appears on the mandible, it’s torus mandibularis. These growths are noncancerous, usually asymptomatic, and often discovered during exam or imaging. They can be important in denture work because a large torus may affect denture fit or require adjustments. The other terms don’t describe a bone growth: sextant is a way to divide the mouth for charting, interim denture is a temporary removable prosthesis, and a root is the part of a tooth embedded in the bone.

A torus is a benign bony outgrowth in the oral cavity, known as an exostosis. When it occurs on the palate, it’s called torus palatinus, and when it appears on the mandible, it’s torus mandibularis. These growths are noncancerous, usually asymptomatic, and often discovered during exam or imaging. They can be important in denture work because a large torus may affect denture fit or require adjustments. The other terms don’t describe a bone growth: sextant is a way to divide the mouth for charting, interim denture is a temporary removable prosthesis, and a root is the part of a tooth embedded in the bone.