Dental anomalies in first-degree relatives of transposed canine probands

Research Summary

Dental anomalies: examination of inheritance patterns for genetic clues

The inheritance patterns of two distinct dental anomalies suggest a common genetic origin. An international team led by Simon Camilleri at Kings College London sought to determine if there is a genetic association between dental anomalies involving tooth displacement (palatally displaced canines, PDC) and tooth transposition (the commonest type being between maxillary canines and premolars, MxCP1). They examined 35 individuals with PDC and 35 with MxCP1 and found no differences in the prevalence of PDC among their first-degree relatives. The fact that over 20% of relatives of individuals with MxCP1 showed PCD suggests that the same genes are likely to be responsible for these dental anomalies. Interestingly, the incidence of MxCP1 was associated with increased maternal age, highlighting the influence of environmental and epigenetic factors on genes involved in dental development.