Sexual dimorphism in the consecutive tooth agenesis patterns of patients with non-syndromic oligodontia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare consecutive tooth agenesis (CTA) patterns between female and male patients with non-syndromic oligodontia. Materials and Methods Panoramic radiographs of 311 orthodontic patients (194 females and 117 males) with non-syndromic oligodontia were evaluated, and permanent teeth excluding third molars were examined. The number and prevalence of tooth agenesis and the number of agenetic teeth associated with CTA were calculated for each tooth. Numbers of CTAs in each dental arch and per patient, and numbers of agenetic teeth associated with the longest CTA were evaluated and compared between the female and male patients. The CTA type of each dental arch was categorized as follows: (I) anterior teeth only; (II) posterior teeth only; (IIIA) continuously in anterior and posterior teeth; (IIIB) separated in anterior and posterior teeth; and (IV) multiple types. The types were then compared between the female and male patients. Results Male patients more frequently had at least one CTA than female patients. The prevalence of Types I and IIIA in the mandibular arch was significantly higher in males than in females. Conclusion Although there was no significant sex difference in the overall severity, males with non-syndromic oligodontia were more likely than females to have CTA indicating local severity in the mandibular anterior teeth.