Craniofacial morphology in patients with multiple congenitally missing permanent teeth

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the number of congenitally missing permanent teeth, excluding third molars, and the craniofacial morphology. The sample comprised 118 children with five or more congenitally missing teeth. Twenty-seven reference points were digitized from lateral cephalometric radiographs and 13 angular measurements of craniofacial morphology were calculated. After an initial analysis, the sample was divided into two subsamples, one with 5-12 missing teeth and the other with 13-21 missing teeth. Within each subsample there was no significant association between number of missing teeth and the angular variables, but a comparison between the two subsamples showed significantly smaller mandibular plane inclination (NSL/ML, NL/ML) and gonial angle (RL/ML), and a more prognathic mandible (s-n-pg) in the subsample with more than 12 teeth missing. It is suggested that the difference in morphology could be due to a reduced vertical development of the lower face, caused by a reduced occlusal support in the subsample with more than 12 congenitally missing teeth.