A catalogue of anomalies and traits of the permanent dentition of southern Chinese.

Variations in size, form and morphology of the teeth can result in anomalies such as macrodontia, microdontia, hyperdontia, hypodontia, double tooth, dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, and talon cusp. A trait may occur more commonly in certain ethnic groups. Among these traits are shovel-shaped incisors, lingual tubercle, Carabelli's trait and protostylid of the molars. Because people are traveling more frequently than ever before, and there are many migrants in different parts of the world, it is increasingly important for dental professionals to be aware of the characteristics and prevalence of the anomalies and traits that occur in the different ethnic groups, so as to be able to make valid clinical judgments and to provide the appropriate treatment. The characteristics of these anomalies and traits are presented along with the prevalence figures in the southern Chinese.