Developmental Dental Anomalies of Primary and Permanent Dentition

Development of the primary and permanent dentition is a highly regulated process in humans. A cascade of signaling pathways occur in a spatio-temporal manner resulting in the development and eruption of the human dentition. Any developmental aberrations in shape, size, number, and position can lead to deviations from normal development of teeth. This chapter discusses each developmental dental anomaly in both dentitions with special emphasis on causative factors at local, systemic, environmental or genetic levels. A review of findings, clinical implications and treatment options is provided for each anomaly. Dentists should be aware of these developmental dental anomalies due to the possible associations with systemic conditions or pathologies.