Clinical study of mandibular exostoses in South African Caucasoids.

Exostoses or bony protruberances may be found on the lingual surface of the mandible, with a reported occur­ rence in several population groups ranging from 0-100 percent. Four hundred and thirty-six South African Whites presenting for periodontal treatment in a periodontal practice, aged between 20 and 84 years were examined for the presence o f lingual exostoses. Of these 205 (47,1 percent) were males and 231 (52,9 percent) females. Forty-two males (9,6 percent) and 29 females (6,7percent) presented with exostoses. The prevalence in males was significantly higher than in the females in the sample (y2 = 5,02, p<0.05). The distribution o f exos­ toses adjacent to the canines and premolars was similar to that seen in other studies, but the overall prevalences were different. OPSOMMING