The syndromic tooth--the aetiology, prevalence, presentation and evaluation of hypodontia in children with syndromes.

Hypodontia can provide significant challenges to the clinician in both diagnosis and management. It is important that each patient is assessed not only by the dental team but also has genetic counselling to determine whether the hypodontia is a stand-alone condition or is associated with other anomalies. The advances in the understanding of tooth development and genetic control of tooth morphology not only allows clinical research to broaden its understanding of tooth agenesis but provides a basis for the clinician to provide the optimum clinical care. This paper presents an overview of the aetiology of hypodontia and its relationship with different syndromes and also the importance of understanding growth and development in treatment planning.