From Volume 49, Issue 3, March 2022 | Pages 192-196
Hypodontia is defined as the developmental absence of one or several teeth. Management of these cases can appear to be complex, but many aspects of the treatment could be managed in primary care. This article aims to enhance understanding and improve confidence in managing hypodontia cases in an appropriate way. This article is the first part of a two-part series providing clinical tips to improve the restorative management of hypodontia.
Hypodontia is defined as the developmental absence of one or several teeth. It can be further subcategorized into oligodontia and anodontia. Oligodontia is a term that is often used in cases with more than six missing teeth. Anodontia is a rare condition characterized by the absence of all of the adult teeth.1 The prevalence of hypodontia is estimated as being between 0.1% and 0.9% in the primary dentition and between 3.5% and 6.5% in the secondary dentition.2 The aetiology of hypodontia is multifactorial although often follows a polygenic mode of inheritance.3 Patients with hypodontia can pose a range of challenges, but interested practitioners can help to achieve predictable, functional and aesthetic treatment outcomes for many of these patients.
General dental practitioners (GDPs) have an important role in the early diagnosis and possible referral to secondary care for advice or further treatment. Experienced practitioners can certainly manage many cases, and most GDPs should feel able to help with long-term maintenance.
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