REDUCTIONS IN SIZE AND LEFT-RIGHT ASYMMETRY OF TEETH IN HUMAN OLIGODONTIA

Tooth size and left-right asymmetry of tooth dimensions in oligodontia were compared with those of a control group. Both early and late deve loping teeth were severely affected, and almost all teeth had signific ant reductions, compared to the control group, in mesiodistal and labi olingual dimensions. Left-right asymmetry of tooth dimensions was also found, but for the mesiodistal dimensions these were not significantl y different from the control group. The occurrence of reductions in to oth size and left-right asymmetries suggests that oligodontia is not j ust an isolated phenomenon. The left-right asymmetry indicates a devel opmental instability in these individuals. More research is needed, to reveal the aetiology and pathogenesis of oligodontia.