Longitudinal analysis of heritability for dental caries traits.
The role of genetic and environmental factors on dental caries progression in young children was determined. A detailed caries assessment was performed in 2 examinations on 314 pairs of twins initially 1.5 to 8 years old. Surface-based caries prevalence rates (SBCPR) and lesion severity (LSI) were computed. Heritability estimates were calculated by SOLAR software. Analyses were performed on all ages combined and by age group (1.5-< 4; 4-6; > 6). Overall heritability estimates (H) of net increments SBCPRs were H = 30.0 (p < 0.0001), and were greatest for the youngest (H = 30.0) and oldest groups (H = 46.3). Overall LSI heritability estimates [H = 36.1 (p < 0.0001)] were also greatest for the youngest (H = 51.2) and oldest groups (H = 50.6). Similar findings were found for net increments of occlusal surfaces and deep dentinal lesions SBCPRs (H = 46.4-56.2). These findings are consistent with a significant genetic contribution to dental caries progression and severity in both emerging primary and permanent dentitions.
Bretz
W A
WA
School of Dental Medicine, Division of Pediatric and Developmental Dental Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St., Room 380, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. wab@pitt.edu
Corby
P M
PM
Schork
N J
NJ
Robinson
M T
MT
Coelho
M
M
Costa
S
S
Melo Filho
M R
MR
Weyant
R J
RJ
Hart
T C
TC
D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015995:Prevalence; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic