Prevalence of Torus Mandibularis in Young Healthy Dentate Adults.

PURPOSE: There have been only a few reports on the prevalence of torus mandibularis (TM) in young adult patients, and TM can have various adverse effects on oral and occlusal states in middle-age patients. This study was designed to determine the association between TM status and oral and occlusal states in young healthy dentate adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study; the sample population included students at Hiroshima University (Hiroshima, Japan) who participated for practical education. The predictor variables in this study included oral symptoms (temporomandibular joint noise, tooth clenching and grinding, buccal mucosa ridging, dental attrition, and tongue habit), oral anatomy (occlusal vertical dimension), and oral function (average occlusal pressure, occlusal contact area, and maximum voluntary tongue pressure). The outcome variable was TM status (present or absent). Additional variables were demographic in nature and included age, number of residual teeth, body weight, and gender. These variables were compared among participants with and without TM using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS Statistics 19 for Windows (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY); a P value less than .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: Of 204 participants included in the study, 50% were men and 50% were women. The mean age was 22.4 ± 2.7 years. TM was present in 119 (58.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that TM status was associated with dental attrition and occlusal contact area (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that TM was present in more than half the young healthy dentate participants and was closely associated with dental attrition and occlusal contact area. This study will provide readers with useful information to help prevent the development of TM before middle age.