Definition

Noun: A congenital condition characterized by the absence of some teeth. It is a developmental anomaly where a person is born without the full complement of teeth.

Usage

The term is used in medical and dental contexts to describe a specific type of dental hypodontia (the condition of having missing teeth). It refers to the congenital lack of several, but not all, teeth.

Examples

• The pediatric dentist diagnosed the child with oligodontia after noting the absence of six permanent teeth on the X-ray.
• Oligodontia can present challenges for both function and aesthetics, often requiring orthodontic and prosthetic treatment.
• Genetic counseling may be recommended for families where oligodontia is present, as it can be an inherited trait.

Advanced Usage

• Oligodontia is often distinguished from anodontia (the complete absence of teeth) and hypodontia (the absence of one to six teeth, excluding third molars). Oligodontia typically refers to the absence of more than six teeth.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypodontia (n): The condition of having one or a few missing teeth. Oligodontia is often considered a more severe form of hypodontia.
• Anodontia (n): The complete congenital absence of teeth.
• Ectodermal dysplasia (n): A group of genetic syndromes often associated with oligodontia, as teeth are ectodermal structures.

Synonyms

• Partial anodontia
• Tooth agenesis (when specifying the congenital failure of teeth to develop)

Antonyms

• Anodontia (complete absence of teeth, though this is a more severe condition rather than a direct opposite)
• Full dentition (the state of having a complete set of teeth)

Noun

1. congenital condition in which some of the teeth are missing