Exostosis associated with autogenous gingival grafts: a report of 9 cases

This report describes 9 cases presenting exostosis at mandibular and maxillary sites where autogenous gingival grafts have been used to increase the amount of attached gingiva. The exostoses were recognized during routine dental examinations and identified by palpation, horizontal sounding, occlusal radiographs, and in one case by histologic examination. Only in three cases was there a surgical removal of exostosis and recurrence was not observed during a follow-up evaluation. The remainder of the cases were not treated and the exostoses appeared to have limited growth. Apparently, a correlation between the presence of tori and the development of exostosis could not be established in these series of case reports, but a possible explanation with respect to the mechanism of bone formation is discussed along with the clinical implications of this interesting clinical finding.