Excluding third molars, what is the correct DESCENDING order of frequency for congenitally missing teeth?

Correct answer: C. Mandibular second premolars → maxillary lateral incisors → maxillary second premolars

• A. This also leads with maxillary lateral incisors, which is the same first-position error, although it does place maxillary second premolars correctly in third.
• B. This inverts the first two positions. Maxillary laterals are common but mandibular second premolars are more so, and mandibular canines are among the LEAST likely teeth to be missing.
• C. CORRECT. After third molars, the classic descending order is MANDIBULAR SECOND PREMOLARS, then MAXILLARY LATERAL INCISORS, then MAXILLARY SECOND PREMOLARS. The pattern reflects the 'last tooth of each series' rule — the most distal member of each morphological class is the most variable and the most likely to be absent.
• D. This places maxillary second premolars ahead of maxillary lateral incisors, which reverses the usual second and third positions.

Note: Terminology reminder: hypodontia = 1–5 teeth missing; oligodontia = 6 or more; anodontia = all. Third molars are excluded from these counts because their absence is so common.