Prevalence of torus palatinus among a group of Japanese elderly.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of torus palatinus (TP) among Japanese elderly and to identify the factors associated with the formation of TP. The subjects were adults aged over 60, who lived independently in the community and attended lectures once a week at the Senior Citizens' College in Osaka prefecture during 2007 and 2008. A total of 664 subjects, including 294 men and 370 women, were examined, and the mean age was 66·5±4·2 (s.d.). After informed consent was obtained, participants responded to a questionnaire and underwent clinical examination consisting of dental status, temporomandibular symptoms and occlusal force. There were 113 (17·0%) subjects with TP. The prevalence of TP was more frequent in women than in men (24·6% versus 7·5%, P<0·01). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the presence of TP and the presence of Torus mandibularis (13·3% versus 25·9%). There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of TP and other factors; diurnal and nocturnal bruxism, occlusal force, occlusal support and temporomandibular diseases symptom. Logistic regression analysis, in which adjustment was made for age and occlusal force, revealed a significant relationship between the presence of TP and gender and the presence of torus mandibularis (TM) (P<0·001 OR=3·43, 95%CI=2·00-5·86; P<0·001, OR=2·63, 95%CI=1·64-4·24, respectively). This study suggests that genetic factors play a more significant role than factors related oromaxillofacial function in the aetiology of TP.

Comparison of oral stereognosis in relation to age and the use of complete dentures.

The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related difference in oral sensory function by testing oral stereognostic ability (OSA) and to determine the effect of wearing complete dentures on OSA. Subjects were 20 dentate and 30 edentulous elderly patients free from oral symptoms and pathologies, and 30 younger dentate students as controls. The OSA tests were conducted with test pieces of 12 shaped forms. The duration time for recognition was noted and the answers were recorded using a three-point scale. anova and paired t-tests were used to examine significant differences. P-values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The OSA score in older dentate participants and complete denture wearers was significantly higher than in younger dentate subjects. However, no significant difference was found in the OSA score between older dentate participants and complete denture wearers. When older edentulous subjects removed the maxillary and mandible complete dentures, the OSA score was significantly lower and the response time significantly longer than with dentures. Within the limitations of this study, an age-related difference in oral sensory function, as measured by OSA tests, was found. However, oral sensory function was not significantly different between fully dentate persons and complete denture wearers in the elderly.