Skeletodental patterns in patients with multiple congenitally missing teeth

Abstract

Congenitally missing teeth (CMT) are a relatively frequent phenomenon. In severe cases of multiple CMT, the skeletodental pattern can be unique. However, the characteristics of this pattern are still controversial. Thus, it was our aim to evaluate the skeletodental patterns of patients with multiple CMT and compare them with norms. Lateral cephalograms of 115 subjects with at least 3 CMT, of at least 2 different tooth groups (excluding third molars), were analyzed. The measurements were compared with classical and Israeli norms. Differentiation between anterior and posterior lack of teeth was also evaluated. In the CMT patients, the maxillary and mandibular basal bones were more retruded than in normal populations, but the intermaxillary relationship was normal. The profile was flatter than in the normal Israeli population but more convex than the classical norms. In the vertical dimension, the study group exhibited a reduced Frankfort mandibular plane angle when compared with Israeli norms. The dental pattern was characterized by upright incisors. When differentiation between anterior and posterior lack of teeth was undertaken, the above features were exacerbated in the patients with anterior tooth absence. It was concluded that patients with multiple CMT demonstrate a characteristic skeletodental pattern, especially those with missing incisors.