COLLEGIUM ANTROPOLOGICUM, vol.37, no.1, pp.115-120, 2013 (SSCI)
The aim of this study was to establish teeth number anomalies in relation to gender, tooth type, location, distribution pattern and the association between frequently missing teeth among a group of dental patients in Turkey. A total of 378 non-syndromic patients (240 females and 138 males) with an age range of 7-45 ((X) over bar +/- SD=22.07 +/- 3.6) having evidence of absent or excess teeth were evaluated in the study. Pearson Chi-square, Fisher's exact, McNemar and Kappa coefficients were used for statistical analysis. 237 patients had a total of 546 congenitally missing teeth and 141 had 185 excess teeth. Congenitally missing teeth were more commonly seen rather than the presence of supernumerary teeth. Difference was determined in the frequent locations of congenital missing and supernumerary teeth. The most frequent missing tooth type was found to be the mandibular second premolar (26.6%), while the majority of supernumerary teeth were located in the anterior region of the maxillary arch (37.9%). Both teeth number anomalies were more commonly seen among females. In hypodontia cases the occurrence of symmetrical agenesis of laterals and second premolars in maxilla; centrals and second premolars in mandible was notable. Agenesis of mandibular centrals was found to be associated with maxillary lateral agenesis in males. Also higher prevalence of molar teeth agenesis was determined in the occurrence of at least 4 teeth agenesis. These findings will serve as information about the contemporary demographic pattern of teeth number anomalies among non-syndromic Turkish dental patients and can provide evidence that agenesis of some teeth symmetrically or together are the products of the same genetic mechanisms.