Mesiodistal dimensions of teeth in Serbian orthodontic patients with hypodontia

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Hypodontia is a common dental anomaly that occurs either in a non-syndromic form or as a part of various syndromes. It is considered a multifactorial condition with genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences, the interplay of which can lead to various anomalies in tooth size and number. The aim of this study was to assess mesiodistal tooth dimensions in Serbian hypodontia orthodontic patients and compare them to healthy controls using digital study models. Methods. Fifty subjects (30 females, 20 males) divided into two groups ? 25 with hypodontia (15 females, 10 males) and 25 sex-matched controls (15 females, 10 males) ? were included in the study. Alginate impressions were taken and plaster models poured, digitized, and imported into software where mesiodistal dimensions were obtained. Results. Intra-operator reliability was high. All teeth in the hypodontia group had smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. Statistical significance was noted for all teeth except for upper canines. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females in neither the hypodontia nor the control group, except for lower canines, which were significantly smaller in both hypodontia and control females. The most commonly missing teeth were upper lateral incisors, and lower and upper premolars. Conclusion. Hypodontia group presented with smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. The greatest difference in mesiodistal dimensions was found in upper lateral incisors and lower first molars. Lower canines were significantly larger in males compared to females in both groups.