Which tooth is the second most commonly congenitally missing?

Which tooth is the second most commonly congenitally missing?

• A. Mandibular second premolars
• B. Maxillary lateral incisors
• C. Third molars
• D. Maxillary second premolars

Answer: (A)

Congenital absence of teeth (hypodontia) occurs when certain teeth fail to develop. In permanent dentition, the most commonly missing tooth is the third molar. After that, the next most frequently missing tooth is the mandibular second premolar. This pattern reflects developmental timing and genetic factors that make the mandibular second premolar more susceptible to agenesis than other teeth. While other teeth like the maxillary lateral incisors can be missing as well, they are not as consistently absent as the mandibular second premolars in the typical prevalence data used in exams.

Congenital absence of teeth (hypodontia) occurs when certain teeth fail to develop. In permanent dentition, the most commonly missing tooth is the third molar. After that, the next most frequently missing tooth is the mandibular second premolar. This pattern reflects developmental timing and genetic factors that make the mandibular second premolar more susceptible to agenesis than other teeth. While other teeth like the maxillary lateral incisors can be missing as well, they are not as consistently absent as the mandibular second premolars in the typical prevalence data used in exams.