Tooth Agenesis; Aetiological Factors

Abstract: Tooth agenesis is the most prevalent craniofacial congenital anomaly in humans. The term refers to an isolated disorder in the absence of non-dental phenotypes but is also used to describe the manifestation of missing teeth in syndromes. The affected individuals suffer from compromised masticatory functions and have decreased quality of life. Discerning the genetic etiology of tooth agenesis not only improves our understanding of normal tooth development but also provides a fundamental basis for developing potential therapeutic strategies for this anomaly. To date, MSX1, Pax9, Axin2, Eda, And Wnt10a have been established as candidate genes associated with non-syndromic tooth agenesis.This article reviews the recently discovered genes involved in dental agenesis , and provides an update on the aetiological factors underlying this common malformation