Abstract

Hypodontia or missing teeth is a rare finding in the primary dentition. It could be due to genetic mutations, syndromes, trauma, infection, radiation, metabolic disease, infant oral mutilationor idiopathic reasons. The most common missing teeth in the primary dentition are maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular central and lateral incisors. Hypodontia of primary teeth may be an indicator of missing permanent successors. It may result in a lack of space and/or supporting bone for the successors when present. A 3 year old mixed non- syndromic White-Black Caribbean boy with missing upper and lower left primary canines the patient was referred from the GDP to The Department of Paediatric Dentistry, King's College Hospital, London was referred for diagnosis and possible dental treatment. There was no history of trauma, extraction or mutilation or hypodontia in the family. Intra-oral examination revealed a soft tissue notch and a tissue tag in upper left canine region, which raised concerns to the possibility of presence of a cleft associated with the missing teeth. Panoramic and upper standard radiographs indicated the presence of successor teeth and presence of a few carious lesions in other primary teeth. No evidence of a cleft was detected. Parents were reassured and no further treatment was carried out regarding the missing primary canines. The carious primary teeth were, however, restored. Hypodontia may present as an isolated finding without consequences on the permanent dentition.No specific treatment was required for this young patient with developmentally absent left primary canines as the permanent successors were present. However, maintenance of a caries-free dentition would remain paramount.

Keywords

hypodontia, primary dentition, canine, primary, upper, lower, missing, restored, scandinavia, precise, history, panoramic