I. Kjaer et al., ETIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF MANDIBULAR TOOTH AGENESIS - FOCUSING ON THE ROLEOF NERVE, ORAL-MUCOSA, AND SUPPORTING TISSUES, European journal of orthodontics, 16(5), 1994, pp. 371-375
The purpose of the present investigation was to consider possible aeti
ological aspects of mandibular tooth agenesis by comparing the pattern
of mandibular molar and premolar agenesis with radiological evidence
of the mandibular canal.Orthopantomograms from 33 children affected by
agenesis of at least four premolar and/or molar teeth in the mandible
were investigated. Three children were affected by ectodermal dysplas
ia. Two anthropological mandibles with absence of mandibular canals we
re included in the study for comparison. According to the investigatio
n, agenesis should be divided into three groups, based on an analysis
of agenesis location, the presence of nerve canals in the jaws, and fi
nally, data on possible bone, skin and oral mucosa abnormalities. The
three aetiological groups suggested are: agenesis related to nerve tis
sue, agenesis related to the oral epithelium, and agenesis related to
the supporting tissue.