Oligodontia--a case report.

Oligodontia is defined as the congenital absence of six or more teeth, excluding the third molars. Genetic factors play an important role in oligodontia, which can occur as an isolated finding or as part of a syndrome. Characteristic dental symptoms are a reduced number of teeth, a reduction in tooth size, anomalies of tooth form, and delayed eruption. This article describes treatment of a 6-year-old girl with congenital absence of 16 permanent teeth. Her malocclusion was corrected by orthodontic therapy, and removable partial dentures were made to improve esthetics and chewing function.