What can it be?

There appears to be serious and sudden bone growth in first my upper, then lower jaw below the gum line and about where the deep roots of the teeth rest. I have never noticed such pronounced ridges before and now the appearance of my mouth is almost alien.

Before the growth in my lower jaw occurred, I went to a dentist near my former residence - about three months ago. I told the hygenist I was concerned about the startling appearance of my upper jaw - a raised ridge of what felt like bone well over 1/4" deep and running the length of both sides of my jaw along the molars. She said that a small percentage of people have excess bone there, she laughed a bit and asked if I hadn't noticed it before. I felt a bit embarrassed and thought perhaps I was overreacting.

Now I know I'm not. These dramatic ridges are now appearing in my lower jaw - the growth of which is incredibly fast and has occurred in only the last two weeks. There is no pain or swelling - except for the growth of what appears to be bone! Pretty crazy.

I am going to a new dentist in two days who is going to check me out, but am wondering if any of you guys can help me. I have scoured the internet and the closest thing I can find is a possible growth hormone imbalance from the pesky pituitary. However, related symptoms - larger fingers, swollen feet - have not happened... it is just the sudden growth of bone at the gums.

Help!

Thanks a million!

Kristi

bone just can't grow that fast.
it is called torus / exostosis (spell?) and is pretty common (not rare at all).
most people don't even know they have these untill someone points out to them.
afterward, some people go crazy feeling them with tongue etc.

if it bothers you so much, goto a oral surgeon, and they will be glad to remove it for you.
its simple safe procedure, since there is no nerve/blood vessel going through them.

it's just a over growth of bone.

I had them, they're called tori. I had them removed but they can grow back, however not nearly as fast as you're describing. They are very common. :)

Is this condition genetic?