Gender differences in patterns of second premolar agenesis observed in 4,756 individuals

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Human Genetics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Congenital absence of teeth, known as agenesis, is a common dental anomaly.
• Second premolar agenesis, particularly in the mandible and maxilla, warrants further investigation into its prevalence and associated factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intra- and inter-maxillary patterns of second premolar agenesis.
• To determine gender-specific differences in the occurrence of unilateral and bilateral second premolar agenesis.

Main Methods:

• Panoramic radiographs of 4,756 children were analyzed for second premolar agenesis.
• Statistical analysis, including chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, was used to assess gender differences.

Main Results:

• Agenesis of mandibular second premolars was observed in 193 individuals, and maxillary second premolars in 95.
• Females exhibited a significant association between agenesis of left and right second premolars in both jaws, and bilateral agenesis occurred nearly twice as frequently.
• Maxillary second premolar agenesis was significantly more probable in females than males.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms existing data on second premolar agenesis.
• New insights into gender-specific patterns of agenesis, including intra- and inter-jaw associations, were identified.