Summary
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not dental agenesis is regulated by genes and, in those cases under genetic control, if there were differences between incisors-canines and premolars-molars in the genetic transmission of agenesis. Methods: This study was conducted on all patients who presented for a clinical evaluation in the Orthodontic Unit of the Department of Dentistry between 2001 and 2002. All patients were screened for dental agenesis. At the end of the selection process, 17 patients with dental agenesis, 6 to 20 years of age, were questioned about their family dental history for the purpose of constructing family trees and 15 family trees were constructed. The patients were questioned regarding any dental anomalies present. Panoramic radiographs, casts, and dental examinations were performed on the patients. For the patient’s relatives, panoramic radiographsex and oral histories were generally collected. Results: The most often missing teeth were mandibular second premolars. On the basis of the family trees, the data allowed for the identification of two different groups: 1) 9 families had dental agenesis as a function of genetic transmission and 2) 6 families exhibited dental agenesis as a sporadic condition. In the former group of patients, agenesis primarily involved the maxillary lateral incisors. This appeared to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant characteristic, with variable expression and incomplete penetrance. In these families, both in individuals with and without agenesis, other anomalies were present, such as supernumerary teeth, microdontia, and anomalous teeth. In these cases, agenesis was one of the manifestations of an anomaly of the dental lamina, specifically mild dysplasia. In the latter group of patients, agenesis was a characteristic present only in orthodontic patients. In this group, agenesis most commonly involved the second molars and the second premolars. Conclusion: These findings indicate that agenesis of anterior teeth may depend on genes, while agenesis of posterior teeth is sporadic.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alvesalo L, Portin P., The inheritance pattern of missing, peg-shaped, and strongly mesio-distally reduced upper lateral incisors. Acta Odont Scandica, 1969;27:563–75.
Bella G, Caltabiano M, Rossetti B, Messina G, Clinical investigation of a case of hypodontia. Stomat Mediter, 1984;3:451.
Bella G, Caltabiano M, Russo S, Messina G. Statistical survey of incidence of agenesis occurring in 447 subjects. Minerva Stomat, 1984;33: 609.
Bracco P, Mossino ML, Negro Ferrero S. Familial agenesis of two upper permenent canines. Minerva Stomat, 1986;35: 937–940.
Clayton JM. “Congenital dental anomalies occurring in 3,557 children.” ASDC J Dent Child, 1956;23:206–8.
Cooney PV. Hypodontia, two cases reports. J Canad Dent Assoc, 1985;11:831–33.
Desiate A, Milano V. 2 rare cases of agenesis of the second molar among blood relations. A clinical contribution. Minerva Stoma, 1999;47(9): 431–2.
Eagland MC. 1970. Congenital absence of the second permanent molar. Brit Dent J, 1970;128:247–8.
Egermark-Erikson I., Lind V. 1971. Congenital numerical variation in the permanent dentition. Sex distribution of hypodontia and hyperodontia. Odon Revy, 1971;22:309–15.
Grahen H. 1956. Hypodontia in the permanent dentition: a clinical and genetical investigation. Odont Revy, 1956;7:1–100.
Lo Muzio L., Mignogna MD., Bucci P., Sorrentino F. A statistical survey of incidence of agenesis occurring in 1,529 subjects. Minerva stomat, 1989;38(9): 1045–51.
Miotti B., Pase U., Miotti F., 1979. Investigation of genes in hereditary hypodontia. Minerva Stomat, 1979;28: 289–90.
Malik S.A. 1972. Missing and rudimentary upper lateral incisors: a statistical survey. J Dent, 1972;1: 25–7.
Muller TP, Hill IN, Peterson AC, Blayney JR. A survey of congenitally missing permanent teeth. J Amer Dent Assoc, 1970;81:101–7.
Palattella G. et al., Statistical analysis of hypodontia occurring in 2,500 children examinated in Radiology Department of “G. Eastman” Hospital. Stomat Mediterran, 1982;2:157.
Pindborg JJ. Abnormalities of tooth morphology. in Pathology of Dental Hard Tissues, Copenhagen: Munksgard; 1970, pp15–74.
Pokala P, Acs G. 1994. A constellation of dental anomalies in a chromosomal deletion syndrome (7q32): case report. Pediatc Dent, 1994;16:306–9.
Ranta R.. Hereditary agenesis of ten maxillary posterior teeth: a family history. ASDC J Dent Child, 1985;52:125–7.
Schalk-van der Weide Y, Bosman F. Tooth size in relatives of individuals with oligodontia. Archs Oral Biol, 1996;41:469–72.
Schalk-van der Weid Y, Steen WH, Bosman F. Distribution of missing teeth and tooth morphology in patients with oligodontia. ASDC J Dent Child, 1992;59:133–40.
Schultz AH. The hereditary tendency to eliminate the upper lateral incisor. Human Biology, 1932;4:34.
Schultz AH. Inherited reductions in the dentition of man. Human Biology, 1934;6:627.
Serrano J. Oligodontia and fusion Oral Surg, Oral Med, Oral Path, 1972;34:691–2.
Stritzel F, Symons AL, Gage JP. Agenesis of the second premolar in males and females: distribution, number and sites affected. J Clinil Pediatc Dent, 1990;15:39–41.
Svinhufvud E, Myllarniemi S, Norio R. Dominant inheritance of tooth malpositions and their association to hypodontia. Clinic Genet, 1998;34:373–81.
Tal H. Familial hypodontia in the permanent dentition: a case report. J Dent, 1981;3:260–64.
Vercellino V, Dessanti GA, Solinas GF. A case of familial hypodontia. Minerva Stomat, 1980;29: 359–62.
Vercellino V, Dessanti GA, Solinas GF. Hypodontia and anodontia. Minerva Stomat, 1981;30: 21–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Galluccio, G., Pilotto, A. Genetics of Dental Agenesis: Anterior and Posterior Area of the Arch. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 9, 41–45 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03321595
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03321595