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HYPODONTIA OF PERMANENT TEETH IN A KENYAN POPULATION
Abstract
Objective: To assess the cnxurrence of hypodontia (except 3rd molars) in a population of
orthodontic patients.
Design: A retrospective case study.
Setting: Private orthodontic practice in Nairobi.
Patients: Six hundred and fifteen orthodontic patients aged eight to fifteen years.
Results: Hypodontia occurred in 39 children (6.3%). The missing teeth were observed in 24
males (7.2%) and 15 females (5.3%). Of thechildren with hypodontia, about 80% lacked one
or two teeth, 54 % had hypodontia involving anterior teeth, 18% lacked single posterior teeth
and 8% had two or more teeth missing in the same quadrant. The highest recorded number
of missing teeth in any one individual was seven. The most frequently missing teeth were
mandibular 2nd premolars (30%), maxillary 2nd premolars (24%) and maxillary lateral
incisors (22%) in that order.
Conclusions: Our data for hypodontia were within the wide range reported in the literature.
The finding of patients with hypodontia involving the anterior teeth and others missing more
than two teeth in the same quadrant was an indication of a great need for orthodontic
treatment. The present findings reiterate the neeed for a thorough radiographic evaluation
of patients prior to removal of permanent teeth for orthodontic reasons.
orthodontic patients.
Design: A retrospective case study.
Setting: Private orthodontic practice in Nairobi.
Patients: Six hundred and fifteen orthodontic patients aged eight to fifteen years.
Results: Hypodontia occurred in 39 children (6.3%). The missing teeth were observed in 24
males (7.2%) and 15 females (5.3%). Of thechildren with hypodontia, about 80% lacked one
or two teeth, 54 % had hypodontia involving anterior teeth, 18% lacked single posterior teeth
and 8% had two or more teeth missing in the same quadrant. The highest recorded number
of missing teeth in any one individual was seven. The most frequently missing teeth were
mandibular 2nd premolars (30%), maxillary 2nd premolars (24%) and maxillary lateral
incisors (22%) in that order.
Conclusions: Our data for hypodontia were within the wide range reported in the literature.
The finding of patients with hypodontia involving the anterior teeth and others missing more
than two teeth in the same quadrant was an indication of a great need for orthodontic
treatment. The present findings reiterate the neeed for a thorough radiographic evaluation
of patients prior to removal of permanent teeth for orthodontic reasons.
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