Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors are essential in occlusal variations and malocclusion and have been of considerable interest to orthodontists. Studies on twin pairs are one of the most effective methods for investigating genetically determined occlusal variables. Many studies have focused on distances between first molars or between canines but malocclusions can also occur in other regions of the dental arch. Aim: To evaluate the characteristics of the dental arch between pairs of Monozygotic (MZ) and Dizygotic (DZ) twins from Southern India. Methods: A random sample of 51 twin pairs (12–18years old) participated in this study. The zygosity of twin pairs was recorded by facial appearance. The occlusion of the first permanent molars was recorded according to Angle’s classification. Study models were prepared to assess dental arch characteristics (i.e., arch form, arch perimeter, arch length; intercanine, intermolar width, and teeth size discrepancy). The obtained data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software 19.0. The student’s t-test (two-tailed, independent) and Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of studied parameters. Results: Angle’s Class I molar relation was more commonly observed followed by the Class II molar relationship among twins. The measured dental arch dimensions did not show a statistically significant difference among twin pairs. The ovoid arch form was commonly observed among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins. There was a similarity among MZ and DZ twins in the anterior and overall Bolton’s ratio. Conclusion: There were similar occurrences of measured parameters among twins, which showed genetic predominance in the expression of measured dental arch traits.
Highlights
Twin research has made important contributions to understanding normal and abnormal dentofacial development
They determined the type of dental arch form and tooth size discrepancy in maxillary and mandibular teeth
Genetic and environmental factors are essential in occlusal variations and malocclusion and have been of considerable interest to dentist
Summary
Twin research has made important contributions to understanding normal and abnormal dentofacial development. The data derived from twins and their families have allowed the researchers to adopt newer models and approaches that take advantage of the unique features of twins and the twinning process and combined these with advances in genotyping and phenotyping[1]. Building on the pioneering work of Sir Francis Galton in the 19th century, studies on twins became more common and sophisticated throughout the 20th century, which provided important insights into the relative contributions of genetic factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) to variation in many behavioral and physical features including some dental traits[1]. Twin research allows establishing detectable genetic variability and study genetic environment interactions in dental development[2]
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