Is torus palatinus a feature of a well-developed maxilla?

Cagirankaya L., Kansu O., GÜNGÖR HATİPOĞLU M.

CLINICAL ANATOMY, vol.17, no.8, pp.623-625, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/ca.20032
  • Journal Name: CLINICAL ANATOMY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.623-625
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Torus palatinus (TP) is an exostosis of the hard palate. The biologic significance of TP is unknown. Our hypothesis was that the presence of a TP reflects the development of the maxilla. It has been proven that tooth agenesis is associated with small maxillary size. We investigated whether there is a relationship between maxillary third molar agenesis and the presence or absence of TP. The study was carried out on 253 Turkish patients. It showed a lower prevalence of third molar agenesis in female subjects with TP (P < 0.001). This study provides indirect evidence that development of the maxilla may be greater in female subjects with TP. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.