Studies on agenesis in the permanent dentition

Abstract

Tooth dimensions in 104 males and females with agenesis of one or more permanent teeth, other than third molars, have been examined. The amounts of size reduction from normal in mesiodistal and buccolingual tooth diameters appear to be independent. Also some apparent differences from normal tooth size variability were noted. Interestingly, first molars and canines, both considered to be stable components of the dentition, showed significant variability in tooth size. In addition the incidence of individual tooth agenesis within this sample was noted and maxillary lateral incisor was most frequently absent in both sexes.