Prevalence and Characteristics of Congenitally Missing Permanent Teeth among Orthodontic Patients in Southern Croatia

Congenitally missing permanent teeth (CMPT) was recognized as a clinical and public health problem in pediatric dentistry.

To determine the prevalence of CMPT among orthodontic patients in Southern Croatia.

In a retrospective study, we analyzed CMPT in patients from three different regions in Southern Croatia (SC). Two orthodontic practices from each region were selected and a total of 4649 records of patients aged 6 - 15 years, who were clinically examined for orthodontic treatment between 2008 and 2015, were evaluated. We excluded 219 patients and 4430 patients remained for further analysis.

There was no difference in prevalence of CMPT among regions in Southern Croatia, and the whole sample was evaluated. CMPT was found in 345(7.8%) patients. The highest proportion of CMPT was with one or two missing teeth 122 (81.9%) and 158 (80.6%), followed by those with three to five missing teeth or moderate hypodontia, 25(16.8%) and 35(17.9%), in males, and females respectively. Bilateral hypodontia of the lower second premolars and upper second incisors was more common than unilateral hypodontia.

The obtained results of high prevalence of CMPT in Southern Croatia reinforce the need for a timely diagnostics and treatment of moderate and severe cases.