Oral exophytic lesions in 23,616 white Americans over 35 years of age.

This study provides the first detailed epidemiologic analysis of benign oral soft tissue masses and bony prominences. Of 1,453 such lesions found in 23,616 white persons over 35 years of age, the most common were palatal and mandibular tori, with a combined prevalence rate of 27.1 lesions/1,000 persons. Other lesions commonly found were irritation fibromas (12.0 lesions/1,000 population); hemangiomas (5.5/1,000); papillomas (4.6/1,000); epulides fissurata (4.1/1,000); mucoceles (2.5/1,000); and others. The prevalence of all oral masses was 61.4/1,000 (33.5 if bony lesions are excluded). Sex-specific and site-specific clinical information is offered and is contrasted with the literature.