Dental repercussions of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis (MLIA) on the position of other teeth in the dental arch. The sample consisted of 147 individuals (66 males and 81 females) divided into two age groups: a growth phase group (A) comprising 43 individuals (18 males and 25 females, ages ranging from 9 to 16 years) and an adult group (B) (with females older than 14 and males older than 18 years) comprising 104 individuals (48 males and 56 females, ages ranging from 15 to 45 years). Within these groups, the individuals were then divided into three subsets: group 1 with MLIA, group 2 relatives of group 1 but without MLIA, and group 3 individuals from the general population (without agenesis and unrelated). Clinical evaluation of the maxillary dental midline and of the antero-posterior relationship between the upper and lower arches at the first permanent molars and canines was performed. Variables were compared by a chi-square test. There was a significant (P < 0.05) clinical association between the presence of MLIA (more often unilateral) and the deviation of the maxillary dental midline. MLIA was associated with a Class II malocclusion; this was more frequent on the same side as the agenesis.