Prevalence and Characteristics of Congenitally Missing Permanent Teeth among Orthodontic Patients in Southern Croatia

BACKGROUND: Congenitally missing permanent teeth (CMPT) was recognized as a clinical and public health problem in pediatric dentistry. AIM: To determine the prevalence of CMPT among orthodontic patients in Southern Croatia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we analyzed CMPT in patients from three different regions in Southern Croatia (SC). Two orthodontic practices from each region were selected and a total of 4649 records of patients aged 6 - 15 years, who were clinically examined for orthodontic treatment between 2008 and 2015, were evaluated. We excluded 219 patients and 4430 patients remained for further analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in prevalence of CMPT among regions in Southern Croatia, and the whole sample was evaluated. CMPT was found in 345(7.8%) patients. The highest proportion of CMPT was with one or two missing teeth 122 (81.9%) and 158 (80.6%), followed by those with three to five missing teeth or moderate hypodontia, 25(16.8%) and 35(17.9%), in males, and females respectively. Bilateral hypodontia of the lower second premolars and upper second incisors was more common than unilateral hypodontia. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of high prevalence of CMPT in Southern Croatia reinforce the need for a timely diagnostics and treatment of moderate and severe cases.