Prevalence of tooth agenesis in orthodontic patients at Islamic International Dental Hospital

INTRODUCTION: Non-syndromic tooth agenesis has been occasionally described in literature and data available for its prevalence is rare in Pakistan. The purpose of the present retrospective radiographic study was to provide data concerning the prevalence of non-syndromic hypodontia in patients reporting to the Orthodontic Department at Islamic International Dental Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the records. The radiographic records included at least one clear adequate quality Orthopantomogram (OPG), which was supplemented when necessary by a periapical radiograph . RESULTS : A prevalence of 9 percent hypodontia was seen in the sample. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that hypodontia is prevalent in Pakistan with a 9% incidence which is on the higher limit of the global range (1.6 – 9.6%). However further studies should be conducted on a larger non-orthodontic sample to determine accurately this incidence of hypodontia.