Reductions in size and left-right asymmetry of teeth in human oligodontia.

Tooth size and left-right asymmetry of tooth dimensions in oligodontia were compared with those of a control group. Both early and late developing teeth were severely affected, and almost all teeth had significant reductions, compared to the control group, in mesiodistal and labiolingual dimensions. Left-right asymmetry of tooth dimensions was also found, but for the mesiodistal dimensions these were not significantly different from the control group. The occurrence of reductions in tooth size and left-right asymmetries suggests that oligodontia is not just an isolated phenomenon. The left-right asymmetry indicates a developmental instability in these individuals. More research is needed, to reveal the aetiology and pathogenesis of oligodontia.