Subjects with a converging palatal rugae pattern on the right side are twice as likely to develop hypodontia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Community Oral Health Department, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Dental Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Studies have emphasized the correlation between palatal rugae patterns and various phenomena, confirming their value as prognostic indicators for the emergence of related disorders. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the correlation between the rugae pattern and the anomalies in tooth number (particularly hypodontia) in a group of Iranian individuals.

Methods: The study divided 120 individuals into two categories based on tooth number: the control group, with a normal number of teeth, and the case group (hypodontia), those who had fewer teeth than normal. The rugae patterns were classified using the Modified Thomas and Kotze classification and Hauser classification, and their identification of the type of rugae pattern was done using both manual and non-manual methods. In addition, panoramic photographs were employed to determine the number of teeth. Data analysis was done using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and one-way ANOVA.

Results: In this study, wavy rugae were the most prevalent pattern. Additionally, it was found that molars were the most frequently missing teeth in the case group. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the presence of left-diverging (P = 0.02) and right-diverging patterns (P = 0.03), such that individuals with a right-diverging pattern had a 2.3-fold likelihood, and those with a left-diverging pattern had a 0.4-fold likelihood of developing hypodontia.

Conclusion: Individuals who have a right-diverging pattern are more likely to develop hypodontia, while those who have a left-diverging pattern are more likely to have normal dentition.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology
Volume 15
Pages 1-7

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 27 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 December 2025

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