Hypodontia and Hyperdontia of Permanent Teeth in Korean Schoolchildren

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of hypodontia and hyperdontia of permanent teeth among Korean schoolchildren, and to compare differences in the prevalence between Korea, other country, and other ethnic groups. The sample consisted of 346 girls aged 6.9～0.3 yr and 375 boys aged 6.8～0.4 yr on whom a panoramic radiograph was taken at Yeonchun-Gun community in Korea. The prevalence of congenitally missing teeth (third molars excluded) was 6.7% in boys and somewhat higher, 9.5% in girls, and 8.0% for both sexes combined. On the average, number of missing teeth per affected child was 1.9 teeth. The most commonly congenitally missing teeth were the mandibular second premolar (32.7%), followed by the mandibular incisor (28.7%), the maxillary second premolar (16.7%), and the maxillary lateral incisors (10.2%). The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was 2.1 % in boys, 1.4% in girls, and 1.8% for both sexes combined. The most common supernumerary teeth were the mesiodens (76.9%), followed by the supernumerary premolar (23.1 %). The affected male-female ratio was 1.6: 1.0. The prevalence of congenital missing teeth in this study was similar to in studies of Japanese, Danish, American and German. The frequency of hyperdontia was lower in this study than in studies of Chinese children, Japanese and American.