Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency, distribution and characteristics of hypodontia of permanent teeth in the Macedonian population according to sex, type of the tooth, and their localization ( maxillary or mandibular dental arch).
Methods: A sample of orthopantomographic (OPGs) radiographs of 10,000 ethnic Macedonian patients was selected from the data base of the Department of Orthodontics at the University Saints Cyril and Methodius Skopje, Faculty of Dental Medicine. They covered a ten year period (2005-2015) and the patients concerned were aged from 9-25 years. Criteria for selection of the patients were their age and ethnicity. The study was conducted in 2016. Because there is usually evidence of the presence of third molars in children after 8 years of age, the OPGs of patients from 9-25 years of age were selected.
Results: The survey revealed that hypodontia was seen in 240 (2.4%) of the OPGs assessed; 110 (1.1%) of males and 130 (1.3%) of female subjects. The teeth that most frequently missing were mandibular second premolars which represented 75(31.3%) of all missing teeth in the OPGs that were assessed. Of these 13 (16. 9%) were on the left, and 11(14. 3%) were on the right side. Maxillary lateral incisor is second –with absence of 67(27. 8%). Overall there was no significant difference in the extent of hypodontia between males and females. Hypodontia was almost equally distributed in both dental arches, but it was more frequent on the left side in both jaws. Maxillary second premolars were absent in 27(11.3%) of the OPGs. Mandibular central incisors were absent in 19 (7.9%) of the OPGs and mandibular lateral incisors in 6 (2.5%). Symmetrical tooth absence was more common and was seen in 146 OPGs, whereas asymmetric tooth absence was seen in 94. Unilateral tooth absence in maxillary dental arch was associated with hypodontia of lateral incisors 41 (61.2%) and second premolars 9 (55.5%). Bilateral and unilateral absence of second premolars in the mandibular dental arch was seen in 57 (76%) and 44 (58.7%) respectively.
Conclusions: Hypodontia is one of the frequent developmental dental anomalies seen in Macedonians. It leads to aesthetic, functional and psychological problems. Its early diagnosis guides clinicians to a appropriate orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment. An OPG, taken for all children at 8 -9 years of age, should be one of the standard dental procedures which will provide an early diagnosis of the condition. Results from the current study have stimulated Macedonian dentists to consider prosthodontic-orthodontic strategies in order to prevent complications arising from hypodontia and to avoid them.
The presenter of this abstract (3490) received a Colgate Travel Award
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