What Causes Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth are one of the most common developmental problems in children. Nearly 20% of the U.S. population has congenitally missing third molars, 3.4% has missing second premolars, and 2.5% has missing upper lateral incisors. The adult teeth are more frequently affected than the baby teeth. Absence of baby teeth occurs in 0.5% to 0.9% of the population. As a rule, when a baby tooth is missing, its permanent counterpart will also be absent. Missing teeth (tooth agenesis) can occur in an isolated fashion, or as part of a syndrome. Isolated cases of missing teeth can be familial or sporadic in nature. Familial tooth agenesis is transmitted as an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked genetic condition. In addition, there are more than 49 syndromes which are associated with tooth agenesis. Specific terms are used to describe the nature of tooth agenesis. Oligodontia is the lack of tooth development of 6 or more permanent teeth, without an associated systemic disorder. Hyp
