Why am I missing my lateral incisor?

I found out I was missing my top lateral incisor when I was 11. (I'm 17 now) I asked my dentist "why don't I have a tooth there" and he said "it's genetic". My parents told me that no one in the family is born without a lateral incisor. So when I told my dentist "no one in my family has this problem" he responded with "I guess you started the fashion trend in your family." Is it possible for me to just randomly be born without my tooth there. I have three other siblings so why did I have to be the one born this way? Thank you!

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Answer: very common

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It is very common for people to be missing a permanent or even a primary baby tooth. It is true that it is sometimes genetic but, yes you could be the first. Someone in your family be even missing a different tooth rather then the lateral. It does not always have to be the same tooth. If you have a space and it is bothering you i would recommend going to see an orthodontist. They can possibly move other teeth into that place or save the space and refer you to have a dental implant placed. This way you will have a tooth to take the place of the one that you are missing. For some reason when you were in your mothers womb your teeth buds were already forming. That certain one just did not form. Again this is common. Don't worry there are others that have the same issue.

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