PREVALENCE OF DENTAL ANOMALIES IN A SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS POPULATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate, through panoramic radiographic analysis, the prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies among different skeletal malocclusion types in patients treated at dental institutions in Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample included 270 individuals of both sexes, aged 7 to 16 years, undergoing orthodontic treatment. The evaluated anomalies included tooth agenesis, supernumerary teeth, microdontia, taurodontism, and root dilacerations. Results showed that 28.9% of individuals had at least one dental anomaly, with dilacerations most prevalent (13.3%), followed by root agenesis (12.6%). Other anomalies were less common: taurodontism (3%), microdontia (1.9%), and no supernumerary teeth. Agenesis mainly affected third molars and maxillary lateral incisors, whereas dilacerations were concentrated in posterior teeth. These findings highlight the importance of panoramic radiography as a key diagnostic tool for the early identification of dental anomalies.