PATTERN OF AGENESIS AND MORPHOLOGIC VARIATION OF THE MAXILLARY LATERAL INCISORS IN NIGERIAN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS.

Background: Congenitally missing or aberrant morphology of maxillary lateral incisors may cause aesthetic and functional impairment of the affected individual. There is however paucity of information on its prevalence and pattern of presentation among Nigerians.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of agenesis, peg and small maxillary lateral incisors in Nigerian orthodontic patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: Orthodontic Unit, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

Methodology: The hospital folders, dental casts and panoramic radiographs of 611 patients between December 2013 and September 2014 were reviewed. The data obtained included congenital absence, size and shape of maxillary lateral incisors.

Results: Out of the 611 patients studied, agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors was found in 14(2.3%) of the patients with 12(2.0%) females being significantly higher than 2(0.3%) males. The prevalence of maxillary peg laterals was 4.6% with no gender difference, while the prevalence of maxillary small lateral incisors was 3.9% also with no gender difference. A total of 20 maxillary lateral incisors were congenitally missing, while 35 peg laterals were recorded and 30 small lateral incisors were found. Unilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisor was more prevalent in 8(57%) patients than bilateral agenesis found in 6(43%) with significant preference for the right side 7(50%) than 1(7%) on the left. Unilateral peg maxillary lateral incisor was more prevalent in 21(75%) than bilateral peg 7(25%) with significant preference for the left side 16(57.1%). Unilateral small maxillary lateral incisor 18(75%) was more prevalent than bilateral small lateral incisor 6(25%) with preference for the left side 10(41.7%).

Conclusion: We found that the prevalence rates for lateral incisor agenesis, peg and small lateral incisor among Nigerian orthodontic patients were 2.3%, 4.6% and 3.9% respectively.