Use of a Palatal Flap for Torus Reduction

Abstract

P R alatal tori are present in approximately 25% of all emales, which is twice the incidence in males. hese bony masses have an unknown etiology, and ost do not require any removal. However, there are ndications for their removal. These include: an exremely large torus filling the palatal vault, a torus that xtends beyond the posterior dam area, traumatized ucosa over the torus, deep bony undercuts, intererence with speech or deglutition, and psychological onsiderations. Traditionally most surgeons will reove a palatal torus by making an anteroposterior ncision over the middle of the torus with Y-shaped eleasing incisions at each end. After removal of the orus and closure of the incision, a palatal stent or enture is used for patient comfort and to prevent ematoma formation. One of the problems encounered when using this technique is adequate access, in articular with larger palatal tori. This can lead to amage to the adjacent tissue by burs or other instruents. In the literature, the palatal flap has been nfrequently described, and largely forgotten as an lternative technique. In this article, we describe this imple technique that provides better access and less ikelihood of traumatizing the palatal mucosa.