Congenital Tooth Absence — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Mandibular second premolar
The mandibular second premolar is the most commonly congenitally absent permanent tooth (excluding third molars), followed closely by the maxillary lateral incisor and then the maxillary second premolar. Hypodontia (congenital absence of 1-5 teeth) has a prevalence of approximately 3-8% (excluding third molars) and is more common in permanent than primary dentition.
Reference: Proffit – Contemporary Orthodontics, 6th ed., 2019; Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016