Missing teeth Part 2: Congenitally missing teeth

摘要

Congenitally missing teeth are common findings in dogs. Missing teeth may be of no functional significance to the patient, but radiographs should be taken to prevent a misdiagnosis of an unerupted or impacted tooth, which may lead to further problems,such as the development of a dentigerous cyst (UKVetVol 13 Issue 9) (Figs, la and Ib). Teeth that are missing either never developed or failed to erupt. These disturbances may be inherited but may also be acquired or idiopathic. They may be congenital or may occur later during the formation of the tooth. Tooth development starts early and by day 25 of fetal development the dental lamina has been formed. The dental lamina is a subdivision of a thickened primary epithelial band that gives rise to the developing teeth in the forming dental arch. Within the dental lamina, proliferation of cells will lead to epithelial outgrowths into the surrounding ectomesenchymal tissue at the position of the future deciduous teeth and permanent teeth.