Which pair of teeth are most frequently congenitally missing?

The most frequently congenitally missing teeth are often the maxillary lateral incisors, which correspond to the teeth numbered as 12 and 22 in the FDI World Dental Federation notation system. Congenital absence of teeth, or agenesis, is a common dental phenomenon, especially involving these lateral incisors. This specific pair is frequently observed in dental practice and can be attributed to genetic factors as well as developmental issues during tooth formation.

In contrast, the other pairs listed include teeth that are typically not seen as frequently absent. For example, the mandibular canines and premolars are less commonly congenitally missing compared to the maxillary lateral incisors; they usually have a higher incidence of presence. Thus, the significance of 12 and 22 as the most commonly missing is well-supported by clinical observations and dental research, making them the correct answer.