Prevalence, expression, and dichotomous nature of Carabelli′s trait in permanent dentition of contemporary Jat Sikhs

Abstract

Objective: The study determines distribution and forms of expression of Carabelli's trait in contemporary Jat Sikhs. It also ascertains the dichotomous nature of this trait. Study design: The study was conducted on 200 maxillary first molars (male: female ratio 50:50). The trait was scored either as present or absent. When present it was again assessed and categorized. All data was subjected to either chi-square analysis or Student t-test evaluation when indicated. The significance was noted at the 5% level. Results: Prevalence of trait came out to be 78.5%. The trait absent/present exhibits bilateral development. Groove form was the most common (35%) while pit form was least prevalent (2.5%). Each first molar and its antimere exhibit no statistical difference in the exhibition of trait. A definite statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P<0.05) exists in phenotypic expression of trait among sexes. Percentage frequency of pronounced tubercle was almost double in males while absence of tubercle was observed three times more in females. The ratio of nontubercular: Tubercular varieties is 1:1.5. Conclusion: The difference in this study was statistically significant at the 5% level, which was consistent with the greater crown reduction usually found in females. The present quantitative study in an endogamous group is of clinical, anthropologic, and forensic value and provides phylogenetic and ontogenic insights regarding the trait.