title: Frequency of developmental dental anomalies in the Indian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of developmental dental anomalies in the Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted over a period of 1 year and comprised both clinical and radiographic examinations in oral medicine and radiology outpatient department. Adult patients were screened for the presence of dental anomalies with appropriate radiographs. A comprehensive clinical examination was performed to detect hyperdontia, talon cusp, fused teeth, gemination, concrescence, hypodontia, dens invaginatus, dens evaginatus, macro- and microdontia and taurodontism. Patients with syndromes were not included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 20,182 patients screened, 350 had dental anomalies. Of these, 57.43% of anomalies occurred in male patients and 42.57% occurred in females. Hyperdontia, root dilaceration, peg-shaped laterals (microdontia), and hypodontia were more frequent compared to other dental anomalies of size and shape.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental anomalies are clinically evident abnormalities. They may be the cause of various dental problems. Careful observation and appropriate investigations are required to diagnose the condition and institute treatment.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, SDM Dental College and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Kruthika S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Guttal
authors.forename: Venkatesh G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Naikmasur
authors.forename: Puneet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.forename: Renuka J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bathi