A radiograph shows a well-defined dense radiopacity over the midline hard palate corresponding to a hard bony swelling on exam. Diagnosis?

Correct answer: A. Torus (palatinus or mandibularis)

• A. Correct. Tori are benign bony exostoses (midline palate or lingual mandible) seen as dense radiopacities; no treatment is needed unless they interfere with a prosthesis.
• B. Incorrect. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignancy with a sunburst/irregular pattern and rapid growth.
• C. Incorrect. A periapical abscess is a radiolucency at a tooth apex, not a hard palatal mass.
• D. Incorrect. A sialolith lies within a salivary duct/gland, not the midline palatal bone.