A radiographic assessment of the prevalence and pattern of dental agenesis in a Nigerian population

Abstract

Objective: Dental agenesis is responsible for dental presentation for orthodontic, restorative and prosthodontic reasons. This study presents the prevalence and pattern of permanent tooth agenesis in a group of Nigerian patients.

Methods: Orthopantomograms of orthodontic patients were assessed for missing permanent teeth. Demographic data was obtained, and the prevalence and pattern of individual tooth agenesis presented. The relationship between dental agenesis and gender, jaw as well as side affected was assessed using the Chi square test while the Student's T-test was used to assess the variation in number of missing teeth across the genders. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 22. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Tooth agenesis including third molars was observed in 37(17.1%) while exclusion of the third molars gave an agenesis prevalence of 10.2% in 22 patients. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of dental agenesis based on gender whether third molars were considered or not (p=0.77 and p=0.37). There was no significant difference in mean number of missing tooth per person based on gender whether third molars were considered (p=0.12) or excluded from analysis (p=0.26). There was significant difference in the type of tooth involved in agenesis and the arch affected (p=0.01).

Conclusion: The prevalence of dental agenesis among this group of patients is comparable with that from other populations. Excluding third molars, incisors are more predisposed to agenesis in the maxilla, while premolars are more likely not to develop in the mandible.

Keywords: Agenesis, prevalence, pattern, Nigeria