Author: Dr Shaun Goh
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Treatment Indications & Timings
Clinical Assessment & Presentations
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Description
Missing teeth (Hypodontia)
“Hypodontia is when there is a developmental absence of one or more teeth, excluding third molars.”
– Goodman et al. 1994
![](https://i0.wp.com/theorthoguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Missing-teeth-diagram-with-missing-L5-and-retained-E.jpg?resize=578%2C234&ssl=1)
Missing teeth (hypodontia) most often affects lower second premolars (3%), upper second premolars (3%), upper lateral incisors (2%) and lower incisors (<1%). It is associated with microdontia, diminutive lateral incisors, ectopic canines and some developmental disorders and syndromes.
Treatment Indications & Timings
Treatment indications
➤ Aesthetic concerns of spaces
➤ Aesthetic concerns abnormally shaped teeth
➤ Retained or infra-occluded primary teeth
➤ Associated ectopic teeth
Clinical Assessment & Presentations
Intra-oral Features
![](https://i0.wp.com/theorthoguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Missing-teeth-asymmetric-eruption.jpg?resize=282%2C180&ssl=1)
Asymmetric eruption
![](https://i0.wp.com/theorthoguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Missing-teeth-ankylosed-E.jpg?resize=276%2C184&ssl=1)
Retained primary tooth
![](https://i0.wp.com/theorthoguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Missing-teeth-peg-lateral.jpg?resize=276%2C184&ssl=1)
Microdontia / diminutive teeth
Diagnosis & Considerations
Diagnosis
- Agenesis
- Missing due to environmental factors
Clinical Considerations
- The overall malocclusion
- The smile and shape of the teeth
Treatment Options
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➤ Early treatment
➤ Comprehensive orthodontics
Associated Problems
Ectopic canines | Ectopic incisors | Spacing | Infra-occlusion