Tori Removal and You

If you’ve noticed a fleshy bump in your mouth, you could have a torus. These growths of excess bone are harmless unless they impact your quality of life. Letting an experienced dentist like Dr. Mansoor check your mouth out can give you peace of mind.

The answer to this question depends on who you ask. If you ask an insurance company, the answer will usually be, “No.” But these folks don’t have to live with the everyday pain you may face.

Ask someone who has had torus mandibularis removal and get a totally different answer. Anyone who has suffered due to tori and come out on the other side knows this procedure can be life-changing.

Another person to ask is a trusted dentist or oral surgeon like Dr. Mansoor. She can go over potential risks versus rewards. Then you have all the information to make the most informed decision.

All type of torus removal takes time to heal. Recovery time depends on the type of tori you had removed and how many were removed.

Removal sites and immediate areas will be swollen the first few days after surgery. Swelling can be reduced by following aftercare instructions.

Generally, it can take anywhere from two to four weeks for a complete torus palatinus removal recovery.

The answer to this question depends on how many tori you’ll be having removed and what type of tori you have. When you meet with Dr. Mansoor, she carefully examines your mouth and tori. She can advise a Waterlase removal plan.

No. Unfortunately, tori does not just disappear on its own. Just the opposite is true. Tori continues growing. Most patients experience a very slow rate of tori growth. If you’re already dealing with tori-related issues, then any growth at all can become more problematic.

There is no standard answer to this question. Most insurers do not pay for tori you have removed. Some insurance companies may reimburse you for a portion of tori removals they deem necessary.

The best way to find out is to contact your dental insurance provider directly. If they don’t cover the cost of the procedure, we offer an in-office discount plan and payment plan through CareCredit.

Smiles by Hanna gladly accepts insurance.

You may find yourself wondering, “Why do I even have these tori?” There are various factors that make certain patients more prone to developing tori.

• Bruxism: Grinding your teeth can activate bone growth. Some of these growing bones could show up in the form of tori.
• Calcium: Eating a diet off the charts in calcium could contribute to tori development.
• Ethnicity: Research suggests oral tori is more common in patients who have Asian or Inuit heritage.
• Gender: Mandibular torus affects more males. Palatal tori are observed more in females.
• Heredity: Did Mom and Dad have tori problems? If so, chances are you will too.
• Severe Injury: If your mouth was injured in an accident, or you took any blunt trauma near your jaw, tori could emerge.

Amazing benefits occur both during and after your procedure:

• Fewer risks. Choosing this minimally invasive procedure over traditional surgical route means putting yourself first. The Waterlase process means less bleeding, swelling and cross contamination. All of these perks help lower your risk of infection.
• Get all tori done. Remove every single one of your tori in the same sitting. Why not get everything taken care of so you only have to heal once?
• Have a pain-free experience. Haven’t you already been through enough pain? Remove the ouch by choosing this Biolase laser treatment.
• Increased accuracy. Dr. Mansoor boosts precision with Waterlase technology. Blood loss can blur the surgeon’s view, allowing for mistakes in traditional surgery. But this tool keeps things on task.
• No need for general anesthesia. Going under general anesthesia, you become completely unconscious. Avoid the need for this risk by opting for laser tori removal. This technology is not painful like the surgical alternative. You won’t feel completely numb for hours afterwards either.
• Self-reliance. There’s no need to ask someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Biolase technology makes it possible for you to drive home right after getting your tori removed.

You’re all done! Now it’s time for healing. A Smiles by Hanna team member will give you a detailed list of aftercare instructions. Follow every direction as written for best results. Some things to keep in mind during the recovery phase:

• Avoid certain activities. Don’t drink through a straw or peek at incision sites by pulling the cheek open.
• Prepare ahead of time. Plan on eating soft foods that require little to no chewing. Soups, smoothies, pudding, gelatin and yogurt are ideal. Stock your fridge and pantry full of these foods that won’t irritate your mouth.
• Stick to recommended oral hygiene routine. A clean mouth is a healthy mouth. Follow specific directions to keep everything progressing as intended. Don’t rinse or brush too intensely.
• Take prescriptions as directed. Take antibiotics at recommended times, even if inconvenient. If you feel sore, take dentist-approved medicine like an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pill.
• Use an icepack. Icing the jaw can help reduce swelling and promote comfort. Apply in moderation.
• Wait to indulge. Don’t eat or drink anything not on the approved foods list. Foods that are too spicy, hard, tough, chewy or salty could aggravate your wounds.

While tori have the potential to grow back, the odds of it happening are slim.

If tori obscures denture placement, the dentures will never fit correctly. Translation – years of discomfort await. Getting dentures takes time and money. Protect your investment by having tori removed first.