Symmetry of dental agenesis in Down Syndrome children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Down syndrome (DS) may affect the mouth, influencing its function, feeding and hence overall health status. We aim at investigating the frequency and type of dental agenesis in a school-age DS sample, evaluating gender, laterality, upper or lower side, and mono- or bi-laterality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral clinical and radiological exams were performed. Forty-six (20 female and 26 male) panoramic radiographs, done when DS patients were 8–12 years old, were examined, from patients between 3 and 25 years old at the first visit. RESULTS: The percentage of missing teeth was compared with chi-squared test: 65% of patients presented agenesis of one or more teeth. The most frequently missing teeth were the upper left lateral incisor, the lower second premolars and the upper right lateral incisor. Usually, the absence was bilateral. There was no difference between sexes, between mandible and maxilla, either in the left or in the right side. CONCLUSION: A high occurrence of dental agenesis was observed in DS patients: some teeth were mostly affected and bilateral agenesis was frequent. Due to the high prevalence of teeth agenesis in DS patients, special care is devised for correct development of oral functions and for avoidance of oral pathologies.