9 days ago i noticed a hard lump along the inside (tongue side of the teeth) of my left lower mandible underneath the molar and sitting on top of the actual bone. There is no pain and it feels slightly irregular in size and doesn't move. It is very small, probably no more than 1-2 mm in size. For all I know it may have been there forever and I just hadn't noticed it, but I doubt that as it otherwise interrupts a fairly smooth surface.

I dipped for about 20 years off and on, but mainly on. But i did maintain good dental hygeine and except for a few stains you couldn't really tell. I quit about 1.5 years ago and don't miss it a bit. The rest of my mouth except for my gums has healed back pretty well. The gums are still a little receded. Last time I saw a dentist was about a year ago and he did a thorough cancer check. When I am stressed I really freak out about things like this. It is my weird outlet, but anyway this has me pretty concerned. Should it? Could it be mandibular tori? Or just an injury from biting down on something pointy? I can't remember doing that but wouldn't be surprised. Anyway, I hope so.

Here is a picture although it kind of makes me feel silly to post it. But it really feels odd to me when I rub my tongue over it. Never noticed anything like it before. Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: markj,

I have been messing with it some more. There is definitely a hard asymetrical object with an edge that doesn't move or hurt. Any thoughts at all? I am really freaking out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: markj,

I went to dentist and he took an xray. Diagnosed as bony outgrowth aka torus mandibularis. He said it could continue to grow. I am quite relieved.

a boney exostosis, much smaller than the "torus mandibularis".

thanks doc i guess it could keep growing and become a full fledged tm?