Which type of teeth are most frequently missing in permanent dentition?

Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are the type of teeth most frequently missing in permanent dentition. This prevalence can be attributed to several factors, including evolutionary changes in human jaw size and dietary shifts over time. As human diets have transitioned from coarse and abrasive to softer foods, many individuals have developed smaller jaws, which often do not have adequate space to accommodate third molars. Consequently, these teeth may never fully erupt or may need to be surgically removed if there is insufficient space, leading to a high frequency of their absence in the permanent dentition.

In contrast, while canines, incisors, and premolars can sometimes be congenitally missing or lost due to dental issues, their occurrences are significantly lower compared to third molars. Hence, the missing status of third molars stands out as the most common when considering the overall composition of permanent dentition.