Which option lists the teeth that are most often missing in permanent dentition, in descending order?

Which option lists the teeth that are most often missing in permanent dentition, in descending order?

• A. Maxillary and Mandibular Third Molars, Maxillary Lateral Incisor, Second Mandibular Premolar, Mandibular Incisors, Maxillary Second Premolars
• B. Maxillary and Mandibular Third Molars, Mandibular Second Premolars, Maxillary Lateral Incisor, Mandibular Incisors, Maxillary Second Premolars
• C. Maxillary and Mandibular Third Molars, Mandibular Second Premolars, Mandibular Incisors, Maxillary Second Premolars, Maxillary Lateral Incisor
• D. Maxillary and Mandibular Third Molars, Mandibular Incisors, Maxillary Lateral Incisor, Mandibular Second Premolar, Maxillary Second Premolars

Answer: (A)

In permanent dentition, congenitally missing teeth follow a fairly consistent order of prevalence. The most commonly absent are the third molars, and after them the next most frequently missing tooth is the maxillary lateral incisor. Following those, the mandibular second premolar tends to be the next most often absent. After that, the mandibular incisors are less commonly missing, and finally the maxillary second premolars complete the descending pattern. This sequence matches the option that lists: third molars first, followed by the maxillary lateral incisor, then the mandibular second premolar, then the mandibular incisors, and then the maxillary second premolars. The other arrangements shift these teeth up or down in the order in ways that don’t align with the commonly observed prevalence in permanent dentition.

In permanent dentition, congenitally missing teeth follow a fairly consistent order of prevalence. The most commonly absent are the third molars, and after them the next most frequently missing tooth is the maxillary lateral incisor. Following those, the mandibular second premolar tends to be the next most often absent. After that, the mandibular incisors are less commonly missing, and finally the maxillary second premolars complete the descending pattern. This sequence matches the option that lists: third molars first, followed by the maxillary lateral incisor, then the mandibular second premolar, then the mandibular incisors, and then the maxillary second premolars. The other arrangements shift these teeth up or down in the order in ways that don’t align with the commonly observed prevalence in permanent dentition.