Inherited dental anomalies: a review and prospects for the future role of clinicians.

Inherited dental anomalies such as hypodontia, supernumerary teeth, enamel defects, and diastema are evident in large segments of most populations. Although treatment options for many of these conditions are ever improving, much remains to be understood about their etiology and pathophysiology. In this review, the authors hope to enthuse dental professionals into aiding the human geneticist by collaborating in studies seeking the underlying genetic cause of dental anomalies and referring patients presenting these conditions to the human geneticist.