Anodontia

Alternate Names

Anodontia of permanent dentition; Absence of permanent teeth

Definition

(an-o -don' -she-ah) [dv, priv.; coouc, tooth]. Absence of the teeth. Anodontia is a dental condition characterized by complete absence of teeth.

Classification

• True anodontia: It is of two types

1. Total Anodontia: Total anodontia, in which all teeth are missing, may involve both deciduous and permanent dentition. This is a rare condition; when it occurs, it is frequently associated with a more generalized disturbance, hereditary ectodermal dysplasia.
2. True partial anodontia (hypodontia or oligodontia): It involves missing of one or more teeth.

• Induced or false anodontia : It occurs as a result of extraction of all teeth.
• Pseudoanodontia : It refers to multiple unerupted teeth.

Summary

The primary (baby) or permanent (adult) teeth may be involved. Anodontia is extremely rare when present in a pure form (without associated abnormalities). In most cases, the phenomenon is associated with a group of conditions called the ectodermal dysplasias. In these cases, abnormalities are also noted in the hair, nails, and sweat glands.

Cause

A specific gene has not yet been identified.

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive inheritance, a 25% chance

Anodontia is an autosomal recessive condition.

Treatment

Prosthetic replacement of missing teeth is possible using dental implant technology or dentures. This treatment can be successful in giving patients with anodontia a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The use of an implant prosthesis in the lower jaw could be recommended for younger patients as it is shown to significantly improve the craniofacial growth, social development and self-image.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Anodontia

Anodontia is a rare disease.

Anodontia Resources
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