Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Dental Anomalies: Prevalence, Patterns of Association and Relationship With Dental Age
Blanca Loscertales-Martín-de-Agar1, Álvaro Cabezas-Corado2, María Baus-Domínguez2
1Dentist in private practice, Seville, Spain.
Background:
Dental anomalies represent frequent findings in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, often leading to functional and esthetic problems. Although their etiology is multifactorial, the role of genetic factors is increasingly recognised.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of dental anomalies and identify associative patterns that may suggest a shared genetic origin.
Study Design:
This observational, cross-sectional retrospective study analysed panoramic radiographs from patients attending 2 orthodontic and one pediatric dentistry practices. Inclusion criteria excluded cases with prior tooth loss due to trauma, caries, or extractions, syndromes, systemic diseases, or craniofacial malformations. Descriptive statistics were combined with hierarchical cluster analysis and inferential tests to identify associations between anomalies with 95% confidence intervals (IC). A p value of<.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Records were obtained corresponding to 1,904 patients with a mean age of 10.69 ±5.06 años. Dental anomalies were found in 35.5% of patients, with hypodontia of upper lateral incisors (9.3%) and palatal impaction of upper canines (9.2%) being the most frequent. Multiple anomalies occurred in 10.4% of patients. Five associative patterns were identified, with the strongest link observed between upper lateral incisor hypodontia and palatal impaction of upper canines (p < .001).
Conclusions:
This large-scale study provides new insights into the co-occurrence of dental anomalies, supporting the hypothesis of common genetic factors. The identified patterns may facilitate early detection and risk prediction in orthodontic planning.
Clinical Relevance:
Identifying associative patterns of dental anomalies through cluster analysis enables early detection of related conditions, such as predicting canine impaction from lateral incisor hypodontia, improving orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and preventive strategies in pediatric and orthodontic patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:16Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral
Weaning, typically occurring...
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...