Some selected dental and jaw aberrations.

There is a close but separate interrelationship between the development of the teeth and jaws. Some principles of the biology of teeth and jaws are central to this presentation. The basic blueprints of both the tooth and jaws are inherent. Postnatal growth is but a continuation of prenatal growth interrupted by the event of birth. In utero, the fetus with its genetic beginnings is subjected to the vicissitudes of the maternal environment. After birth, the individual is subjected to the effects of the general environment. Development of facial form is related to the synchronous coordination of 3-dimensional, multiple, differential dental and jaw growth sites and centers and associated structure activities. This report deals with some selected unusual dental and jaw aberrations, some of which may have developed during the prenatal period and others during infancy and early childhood. However, they may not become significantly clinically manifest sometimes until late childhood or even early adulthood. Dental histogenesis is correlated in several instances (anodontia, ameloblastoma, hemifacial, atrophy) with jaw implications. Thus, this article is a synthesis of previous reports in which many included surgical treatment.