Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the prevalence and patterns of Torus Mandibularis (TM) and Torus Palatinus (TP) among Malay and Chinese patients attending the AIMST Dental Clinic, Malaysia, with specific attention to age and gender distributions. Clinical examinations were performed on patients attending the clinic to assess the presence, size, shape, and location of TM and TP, and demographic data including age, gender, and ethnicity were recorded. The collected data were statistically analysed using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test to determine associations between these factors and the occurrence of tori. Of 60 participants, 23 (38.34%) presented with tori; 22 (36.67%) had TP and 1 (1.67%) had TM. No statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of tori and ethnicity, gender, or age group, although females and Malay patients showed a comparatively higher prevalence of TP. Most tori were large (greater than 6 mm) and lobular in shape and were located predominantly in the incisor-to-premolar region, and a statistically significant association was observed between tori location and age group. The study provides insight into the distribution of TM and TP among different ethnicities in Malaysia and highlights age- and gender-related trends that may aid early identification and management, while offering anthropological and genetic implications regarding oral bony exostoses. Further research with a larger sample is recommended to explore the underlying etiological factors.
Keywords: Age distribution, Chinese, Gender distribution, Malay, Torus mandibularis, Torus palatinus.