Association between hypodontia and Angles malocclusion.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Human Genetics

Background:

• Hypodontia, the congenital absence of teeth, is a common dental anomaly.
• Malocclusion, including Angle's classifications, can be influenced by genetic and developmental factors.
• Understanding the relationship between hypodontia and malocclusion is crucial for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hypodontia in permanent dentition.
• To investigate the association between hypodontia and Angle's malocclusion.
• To assess the impact of hypodontia and malocclusion on the need for orthodontic treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of orthodontic records from a tertiary care hospital (2005-2015).
• Inclusion of 790 subjects, with hypodontia defined by the absence of tooth germs on orthopantomograms and dental casts.
• Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test to evaluate the association between hypodontia and Angle's malocclusion classifications.

Main Results:

• Tooth agenesis was observed in 34 (4.3%) subjects.
• A statistically significant gender difference in hypodontia prevalence was noted (p=0.005).
• A positive association was found between hypodontia and malocclusion, with a higher frequency of missing teeth in Class III malocclusion.

Conclusions:

• Hypodontia is a prevalent condition in permanent dentition with a significant association with malocclusion.
• Class III malocclusion shows a higher frequency of associated hypodontia.
• Early detection and orthodontic intervention are essential due to the psychosocial impact of these conditions on quality of life.