Agenesis of permanent incisors in a mediaeval maxilla and mandible: aetiological aspects

A paleopathological maxilla and mandible with tooth agenesis were analyzed, focussing on the aetiology of the condition. The jaw material, derived from an adult mediaeval male, was examined by standard anthropological analyses, including radiography. In the maxilla there was agenesis of three permanent incisors and one premolar, and in the mandible of one permanent incisor and two permanent molars. Absence or marked reduction of the incisive foramen and the nasopalatine canal was found. The premaxillary area was reduced without general alveolar bone resorption. The pattern of tooth agenesis was similar to the pattern observed in contemporary individuals, except for the agenesis of one permanent maxillary central incisor. It is suggested that the pronounced lack of teeth in the maxillary anterior region is connected with deficient development of the premaxillary area of the nasopalatine canals and the incisive foramen. As the condition can be ascribed to deviations in the prenatal development, this investigation shows that embryological developmental patterns, which form the basis for the pattern of tooth agenesis, should be taken into account when evaluating dry bone pathology.