Torus palatinus

How it works

The hard palate is the bony front part of the roof of the mouth. It forms from two plates of bone that meet in the middle. A torus palatinus is an extra growth of normal bone along that midline seam¹. It can be a low ridge, a smooth mound, or a lumpy shape with several lobes. It is covered by the thin normal lining of the palate, so it feels hard and smooth under the tongue. It is not a tumour. The bone is ordinary dense bone, and it never spreads.

Tori are more common in early adult life and can grow larger over time¹. Some research suggests they are inherited in a dominant pattern. Most experts think several factors are involved¹.

Reported prevalence runs from 2% to 67% depending on the population studied³. It is most common in people of Asian and Inuit descent³. It is also more common in women than in men³. A similar growth on the inside of the lower jaw, next to the tongue, is called torus mandibularis².

Try it

1. Press the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind the front teeth.
2. Slide it slowly backward along the centre line.
3. Feel for a hard bump or ridge in the middle. A large torus is obvious. A small one feels like a firm pea under the lining.
4. If you can, look in a mirror with a torch. A torus shows as a pale mound down the midline.

Is it a problem?

No. A torus palatinus needs no treatment. It does not turn into anything else. Two things can make it a nuisance. First, the lining over it is thin and can be scraped by hard food, giving a sore that heals slowly. Second, a large torus can get in the way of a denture¹. In those cases a surgeon can remove it. If you have found a lump on your palate and are not sure, a dentist can confirm it by looking, usually in seconds.