Genetic factors cause congenitally missing teeth and this condition is often seen in generations of a family. The most common missing teeth are wisdom teeth, upper lateral incisors, and second premolars/bicuspids.
The most common congenitally missing teeth tend to be: Upper lateral incisors – these are the two teeth that sit on either side of your two front teeth. Lower central incisors – these are the two front teeth in the lower jaw. Second premolars – these are the teeth right in front of your molars.
The most common congenitally missing teeth were mandibular second premolars 23.34%, maxillary second premolars 22.02%, maxillary lateral incisors 18.94% and maxillary first premolars 14.74%, respectively [Table 2].
It's so common that up to 20% of all adults are missing at least one tooth! The most common congenitally missing teeth are: The wisdom teeth – these often pesky teeth are the ones all the way in the back of the mouth.
Incisors. Your incisors are the most visible teeth in your mouth. Most people have four incisors on the upper jaw and four on the lower. These include your front two teeth and the teeth on either side of them.
Our first 16 teeth are located at the top of the mouth. We start with Tooth #1, a molar on the back right side of our mouths known as the upper right quadrant. Dentists and dental hygienists will count through to Tooth #16, located in the upper left quadrant.
Adults normally have 32 permanent teeth, while children have 20 baby teeth. Though rare, extra teeth can develop in the mouth—a condition known as hyperdontia; the extra teeth themselves are called supernumerary teeth.
While some may worry more about a highly visible missing tooth (like a front tooth), the serious consequences of a missing tooth — including an increased risk of decay, a negative impact on eating and speaking, and possible bone loss — will impact an individual no matter where the missing tooth is.
That's not the best idea. Missing a tooth, even just one, can cause severe and permanent damage to your entire mouth. When you lose a back molar, its surrounding teeth are also impacted because they lose surrounding structure and support. Unfortunately, this causes your other back teeth to shift.
The most commonly missing teeth are the third molars, mandibular second molars, maxillary permanent lateral incisors, and maxillary second premolars. In contrast, the least commonly missing permanent teeth are the maxillary central incisors, the maxillary and mandibular first molars, and the mandibular canines.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by age 50, most Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth. The full adult dentition consists of 32 teeth. That means by age 50 you can expect to have 37% fewer teeth.
Around 50% of the population is missing at least 1 tooth, or around 178 million Americans. And 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth.
Age, illness, injury, and infection all take their toll on your teeth. If you've lost one or two over the years and haven't addressed the gaps because you think it's no big deal, think again. Lost teeth are often the starting point for more serious conditions.
Any number of missing teeth can cause serious oral and overall health issues. Ultimately, tooth loss begets more tooth loss. So, if you have just one missing tooth, it's very likely that more will follow if it isn't replaced.
Tooth loss does more than impact the appeal of your smile, especially if you lose your front tooth. It affects your ability to eat and chew properly, as well as how you communicate. It may also lead to confidence issues and low self-esteem.
The Missing Tooth Problem
Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth. Bone deterioration can occur, changing your facial structure by changing the way your jawbone supports your lips and cheeks. Over time, this can—and most likely will—make your face look older.
Oral Health Issues
It increases your risk of gum disease and bacterial infections. It also changes the alignment of your remaining teeth. When you don't fill a gap in your smile, the neighboring teeth will shift toward each other. Eventually, problems such as crowding, crookedness, and uncomfortable pressure can occur.
Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are common causes of missing teeth. Some people are born without certain teeth, and this condition is called congenitally missing teeth. Genetic factors cause congenitally missing teeth and this condition is often seen in generations of a family.
Can you live with a missing tooth? It would be best to replace missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent tooth shifting. However, if you have a tooth extracted, it is advised to wait four to six months to have the tooth replaced.
Teeth Around the World: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
With a DMFT (decayed, missing, or filled teeth) index score of 0.4, Danish citizens have pretty perfect teeth. Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the UK all have scores below 1.0, making them the five countries with the healthiest teeth.
Molars: Your molars are your twelve back teeth—six on top and six on bottom. They are your strongest and widest teeth. They have a large, flat surface with deep ridges to help grind food and finish chewing before swallowing.
The world's most expensive tooth has been determined to be John Lennon's molar. The auction was won in Stockport, and ended at an unbelievable $31,000 U.S. Smashing the world record for the Most Expensive Tooth in the world. The man who bought the tooth is a dentist who lives and works in Red Deer, Alberta.
Do cavity fillings hurt? Here's the short answer: No. Most fillings cause little to no discomfort during any part of the procedure. This is a result of using highly effective numbing agents.