Localized Asymmetry in Human Dental Crown Form—an Interesting Case

Abstract

A case of a 20-year-old female is described in which the premolars and molars on the right side of the arch display altered crown proportions and altered occlusal morphology. There is no evidence of an orofacial congenital disorder or history of trauma. It is argued that the asymmetrical expression of crown form does not fall within the normal range of variation but has resulted from a localized disruption in cellular function within the developing tooth germs, probably upsetting the folding of the internal enamel epithelia. This has produced crowns that have rounded cuspal outlines and reduced intercuspal distances. Superimposed space constraints in the mandible may have also led to compression of the lower molar crowns mesiodistally and affected their root formation.