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Open research questions in dental development and anomalies

407 gap statements mined from dental development and anomalies papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 5,225 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

Choosing where to publish on dental development and anomalies? See the ranked Medicine journals.

What the literature leaves open

  • A limitation of the present study is the sample size, acquired from a specific geographic province.

    Prevalence of Pre-Eruptive Intracoronal Resorption (PEIR) and Proposal of a Novel Classification: Retrospective Study with the Aid of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) · 2026 · DOI

  • This finding is relevant for the analyzed Peruvian sample, where CBCT-based evidence remains scarce and much of the available information stems from Asian or Middle Eastern populations.

    Prevalence and Morphological Characteristics of Taurodontism in Permanent First and Second Molars in a Peruvian CBCT Sample · 2026 · DOI

  • Due to the common racial background of all participants, the results of this investigation might not be generalizable to the general population. Also, there might be other local or systemic factors that could have had an effect on the results, which are either not well established or fall within the spectrum of normal phenotypic variation.

    Palatal canine impaction is not associated with third molar agenesis · 2025 · DOI

  • The study lacks a detailed exploration of the metrics or measurements obtained from the morphometric analysis, limiting the depth of evidence presented. The initial hypothesis of the study is not explicitly stated or addressed in the conclusion, leaving room for clarification in future research.

    Breed-Specific Skull Morphology Reveals Insights into Canine Optic Chiasm Positioning and Orbital Structure through 3D CT Scan Analysis · 2024 · DOI

  • Future investigations could delve into the specific metrics obtained from morphometric analysis, providing a more detailed understanding of the observed variations. Exploring the functional implications of these anatomical differences could broaden our understanding of the relationships between skull shape, orbital morphology, and canine visual capabilities.

    Breed-Specific Skull Morphology Reveals Insights into Canine Optic Chiasm Positioning and Orbital Structure through 3D CT Scan Analysis · 2024 · DOI

  • One of the main limitations of this study is that, although all specimens are recorded as older than 1 year, their exact ages (in months/years) are not available.

    Sella Turcica Shape as a Marker for Breed and Sex Classification in Sheep · 2026 · DOI

  • Further clinical documentation with standardized outcome assessment, radiographic follow-up, evaluation of periodontal and occlusal stability, patient-reported outcomes, and longer observation periods is warranted.

    Single-Retained Lithium Disilicate “Maryland” with Pontic-Derived Stamp Technique for Anterior Symmetry: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • In contrast to maxillary canine impaction, validated prognostic thresholds and reproducible treatment protocols are lacking, and clinical management remains largely individualized.

    Clinical Outcomes of Surgical–Orthodontic Management of Impacted Mandibular Canines: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • An additional limitation of this study arises from the use of panoramic radiographs, being two-dimensional imaging modalities, as the primary diagnostic tool.

    Radiographic Evaluation of Impacted and Transmigrant Canines: Prevalence and Sex-Based Differences in an Orthodontic Cohort · 2025 · DOI

  • Fst is a key regulator of cusp and enamel patterning, yet its role in molar root development remains poorly understood.

    Follistatin regulates tooth root furcation morphogenesis · 2026 · DOI

  • Although preliminary data indicates that scpp5 deficiency impairs tooth mineralization, its molecular mechanism and role in tooth repair remain unclear.

    scpp5 regulates tooth development and injury-induced repair in zebrafish through mineralization and Wnt/β-catenin signaling · 2026 · DOI

  • However, its definitive etiology remains unclear and only a few studies have reported the detailed microstructures and mechanical characteristics of the affected teeth.

    Microstructures and mechanical characteristics of primary teeth affected by regional odontodysplasia · 2026 · DOI

  • Case Report: FGF4L1 Retrogene Insertion Is Lacking in the Tall Dachshund Phenotype.

    Absence of FGF4 Retrogene Insertion on Chromosome 18 Results in a Tall Phenotype in Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Dogs · 2025 · DOI

  • The main limitation of the current study is the small sample size and lack of generalizability.

    Exploring the Association Between Third Molar Agenesis and Carabelli Traits: A Cross-Sectional Study · 2025 · DOI

  • These findings support the need for further investigation into prenatal and early-life factors that may contribute to enamel developmental disturbances.

    Aetiological factors in molar incisor hypomineralisation: a case-control study from Salamanca, Spain · 2025 · DOI

  • A comprehensive synthesis focusing on the role of Cx43 in odontogenesis and odontogenic tumors remains scarce. The molecular mechanisms that alter normal CX43 function in odontogenic tumors have been poorly studied. The paper notes that the expression of Cx43 in odontogenic tumors has been explored in a very limited number of studies.

    Role of connexin 43 in odontogenesis and odontogenic tumors. · 2026 · DOI

  • With respect to unilateral or bilateral occurrence, there is no consensus in the literature.

    Ectopic eruption of permanent first molars: a cross-sectional study in the mixed dentition · 2026 · DOI

  • The research highlights the need for further investigation into the relationship between delayed tooth eruption and underlying health issues.

    DELAYED TOOTH ERUPTION IN CHILDREN — A NORMAL CONDITION OR AN EARLY SIGN OF HIDDEN PATHOLOGY · 2026 · DOI

  • The fragility of postcranial skeletal remains makes it difficult to assign theropod teeth to a specific clade. The lack of evidence for majungasaurine abelisaurids in Europe makes it challenging to confirm their presence.

    Cenomanian theropod teeth from Algora (central Spain), new evidence for majungasaurine abelisaurids in Europe · 2026 · DOI

  • The evolution of paleocommunities and the geographical and temporal distribution of theropod clades are not well understood. There is a lack of evidence for majungasaurine abelisaurids in Europe.

    Cenomanian theropod teeth from Algora (central Spain), new evidence for majungasaurine abelisaurids in Europe · 2026 · DOI

  • The next stage in biologically informed orthodontics is likely to involve dynamic integration of molecular, imaging, and longitudinal clinical data. Rather than relying solely on pretreatment anatomical assessment, future systems may continuously evaluate individual tissue responsiveness and adapt treatment accordingly. Several emerging approaches may contribute to this transition.

    Mechanobiology and Molecular Regulation of Periodontal Tissue Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement: From Periodontal Phenotype to Precision Orthodontics—A Narrative Review · 2026 · DOI

  • While much attention has been directed toward interventions like RME to enhance the eruption rate of palatally impacted canines, few studies have focused on evaluating changes in intraosseous positioning or the correction of abnormal eruption pathways.

    Short-Term Impact of Slow Maxillary Expansion on Labial Ectopic Canine Eruption Pathway in Children: A Retrospective Study · 2025 · DOI

  • As stated above, greater emphasis should be placed on population-based research into the prevalence and patterns of canine impaction and transmigration, particularly in association with patient-specific factors. Such investigations hold potential to enhance clinical awareness and enable earlier identification of at-risk individuals.

    Radiographic Evaluation of Impacted and Transmigrant Canines: Prevalence and Sex-Based Differences in an Orthodontic Cohort · 2025 · DOI

  • Endodontic management of invaginated teeth requires a personalized approach, as no standardized protocol currently exists.

    Dens Invaginatus—Mandibular Second Molar—Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • These findings add to the current mutation 1 3ACP4 Variants in Hypoplastic Amelogenesis…

    ACP4 Variants in Hypoplastic Amelogenesis Imperfecta · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in dental development and anomalies

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own dental development and anomalies sub-topic

This page shows what the dental development and anomalies literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, search the Research Gap Finder: the search is free with a free account and lists the papers closest to your topic first. Unlocking that topic (50 credits, charged once) fills the comparison table from our 7.9M-paper local library and writes the gaps from its rows.

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) This finding is relevant for the analyzed Peruvian sample, where CBCT-based evidence remains scarce and much of the available information stems from Asian or Middle Eastern populations (“Prevalence and Morphological Characteristics of Taurodontism in Permanent First…”, 2026); (2) Further clinical documentation with standardized outcome assessment, radiographic follow-up, evaluation of periodontal and occlusal stability, patient-reported outcomes, and longer observation periods is warranted (“Single-Retained Lithium Disilicate “Maryland” with Pontic-Derived Stamp…”, 2026); (3) In contrast to maxillary canine impaction, validated prognostic thresholds and reproducible treatment protocols are lacking, and clinical management remains largely individualized (“Clinical Outcomes of Surgical–Orthodontic Management of Impacted Mandibular…”, 2026); (4) Fst is a key regulator of cusp and enamel patterning, yet its role in molar root development remains poorly understood (“Follistatin regulates tooth root furcation morphogenesis”, 2026); (5) Although preliminary data indicates that scpp5 deficiency impairs tooth mineralization, its molecular mechanism and role in tooth repair remain unclear (“scpp5 regulates tooth development and injury-induced repair in zebrafish…”, 2026). 407 gap statements have been mined from dental development and anomalies papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 5,225 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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