Variations in the Prevalence and Morphology of Torus Palatinus: A Study on Age and Gender Trends in Karachi

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the prevalence and morphological variations of torus palatinus while examining gender and age-related differences within the population of Karachi, a bustling metropolitan city in Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahria University Health Sciences Campus (BUHSC), Karachi, using a non-probability convenience sampling method. The presence of tori was determined through clinical examination and palpation, with their shapes categorized as flat, spindle, or nodular. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23, employing the Chi-square test to explore gender and age associations with tori prevalence. A significance level of P < 0.05 was adopted.

Results: Among the 1,203 patients screened, 141 (11.7%) exhibited torus palatinus. The study revealed a higher prevalence among males (53.9%) and a dominance in the 31-60 years age group (47.5%) with a significant P-value of 0.000. An analysis of torus palatinus shapes by gender indicated that flat tori were more frequent in both males and females, with a significant P-value of 0.015.

Conclusion: Torus Palatinus, a rare bony exostosis within the oral cavity, manifests in distinctive shapes and patterns despite being an asymptomatic anatomical variation. The prevalence of torus palatinus varies significantly with respect to age and gender.