Le agenesie: anomalie dentali ed effetti sulle strutture dento-scheletriche

This study evaluates the frequence, distribution and the prevalence of agenesis, excluding the third molar, in relation to each tooth; further it aims to determine a relationship between agenesis and other dental anomalies and possible effects on skeletal growth patterns. 500 Italian patients, 257 girls and 243 boys (ranging from 4.5 to 14.1 years old) were examinated. From clinical examination, photographs, various radiographs and cranio facial measurements obtained from lateral cephalograms, the following results were noted: 5.2% of the patients had congenitally missing teeth and the mandibular second premolar was the most frequently absent tooth, that occured with a prevalence of 1.4% 1.8%. The most commonly observed associated dental anomaly was hypodontia of other teeth, found in more than 50% of subjects with agenesis. We stated that the differences observed between subjects with agenesis and the control group, were related much more with dental anomalies then with skeletal factors. In subjects with agenesis, the SNB and Z angle decreased and the ANB increased compared with the control group.