Which term refers to teeth that are congenitally not present?

The term that refers to teeth that are congenitally not present is "missing teeth." This specifically indicates that the teeth never developed in the first place due to a genetic or developmental anomaly. It is a condition where the tooth or teeth are absent from the dental arch, which can occur in both primary and permanent teeth.

In this context, it is important to differentiate congenital absence from other conditions. Unerupted teeth are those that are present in the jawbone but have not broken through the gum line yet. They are still formed and simply lack eruption. Fractured teeth refer to those that have sustained damage, typically due to trauma or poor dental health, and they are otherwise intact but damaged. Extracted teeth are those that have been removed, either due to disease or other dental issues, but were previously present in the mouth.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment planning in veterinary dentistry, ensuring that appropriate measures can be taken to maintain the health of the animal's dental structure.