Hypodontia is the developmental abscence of teeth. It affects about 2% of the population and ranges in severity from the absence of a single tooth to the absence of all teeth. Patients with hypodontia usually require treatment by several dental specialists and often require orthodontic treatment.
This patient was missing two adult teeth in the lower jaw. By using fixed braces the remaining teeth were moved to fill the space left by the missing teeth. This not only improved chewing function, but the patient also avoided having false teeth.