Which teeth are most commonly congenitally missing?

The mandibular third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are the teeth most frequently missing due to congenital reasons. This phenomenon occurs because the development of third molars is highly variable among individuals, and many people do not have them at all. This absence is often attributed to evolutionary factors, as there is less need for these teeth in the diets of modern humans compared to our ancestors who had diets requiring more chewing power. The reduced jaw size in the modern human population often creates insufficient space for these teeth, leading to their non-eruption or absence altogether.

In contrast, while the other teeth mentioned may also be congenitally missing, they do not have the same frequency as the mandibular third molars. For example, the maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular second premolars can be absent due to genetic factors but are less commonly noted. The maxillary first molars, though important in dental anatomy and function, are not typically absent due to congenital issues and would more commonly be lost through dental disease or trauma rather than congenital absence. Therefore, recognizing the mandible third molars as the most commonly congenitally missing teeth aligns with clinical observations and genetic studies.