Abstract
Background Dental caries is the localized destruction of dental hard tissues (enamel and dentine). Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index is the most commonly used dental caries index. Thickness of the outermost part of the tooth called the enamel is determined by the rate of deposition of enamel proteins. Relative enamel thickness (RET) gives a measure of enamel thickness with respect to dentine. Dental caries is influenced by a genetically determined factor called dermatoglyphics (DG). As the genes responsible for RET and DG lie on the same chromosome and develop during the same time of intrauterine life, it is biologically plausible to correlate RET and DG. Aims This study consists of two primary aims: (1) to assess RET using cone beam computed tomography images and correlate it with caries and (2) to correlate RET with DG. Materials and Methods 148 dental subjects were assessed for DMFT caries score and were categorized as Group 1 with DMFT = 0 and Group 2 with DMFT ≥ 1. Following this, their DG pattern was recorded digitally. The CBCT images of these subjects were assessed for RET, and the data were analyzed statistically. Results Mean RET in our sample population is 18.45 (SD 3.79) while mean DMFT is 5.34 (SD 5.13). Mean RET in Group 1 subjects was 19.82 (SD 4.05) while that in the Group 2 was 17.68 (SD 3.43). RET and DMFT showed a statistically significant negative correlation (p = 0.007). The “Single Loop” DG characteristic showed a statistically significant difference between males and females (p = 0.031). The “Simple Arch” type of DG was positively correlated with RET. Conclusion This is the first in vivo study to assess RET using CBCT images and correlate with DMFT and DG. RET is inversely related to DMFT while directly proportional to the “Simple arch” DG pattern. Males and females differed in their “Single Loop” DG characteristic.
Highlights
Dental caries is a universal noncommunicable disease that costs the global economy billions of dollars annually
The prevalence of dental caries has declined over the past years in developed countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) goal to achieve a Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score less than 3 for a 12-yearold child is still a distant dream for a significant proportion of the global population [2]
The maximum number of DG characteristics observed was tented arch (T arch), while double loop (D loop) was at a minimum
Summary
Dental caries is a universal noncommunicable disease that costs the global economy billions of dollars annually. The prevalence of dental caries has declined over the past years in developed countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) goal to achieve a Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score less than 3 for a 12-yearold child is still a distant dream for a significant proportion of the global population [2]. 148 dental subjects were assessed for DMFT caries score and were categorized as Group 1 with DMFT = 0 and Group 2 with DMFT ≥ 1. This is the first in vivo study to assess RET using CBCT images and correlate with DMFT and DG. Males and females differed in their “Single Loop” DG characteristic
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