You might only have 14 bottom teeth due to a condition called hypodontia, where some teeth never develop.
Here's a breakdown of why this might be the case:
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Hypodontia: This refers to the congenital absence of one or more teeth. In other words, you were born without the ability to grow a full set of bottom teeth.
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Normal Tooth Count: A full adult set typically includes 32 teeth, but after wisdom teeth removal, the count drops to 28. Therefore, it could be understood that a full adult set should contain 16 teeth on the bottom and 16 teeth on the top. If you only have 14, you're missing 2 teeth.
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Hypodontia Causes:
- Heredity: According to the reference, the most common cause of hypodontia is heredity. This means it's likely you inherited the condition from your biological parents.
- Genetic Mutations: In some cases, new genetic mutations can cause missing teeth.
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Treatment Options
While missing teeth can be concerning, several treatment options are available to address the issue and improve both function and aesthetics:
- Bridges: These are artificial teeth anchored to adjacent teeth.
- Dentures: Removable appliances that replace missing teeth.
- Dental Implants: Surgically placed artificial tooth roots that support replacement teeth.
- Orthodontics: Braces or other orthodontic treatments may be used to close gaps or prepare the mouth for other restorative options.
