Dermatoglyphic patterns and salivary pH in subjects with and without dental caries: A cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Dermatoglyphic patterns, which are regularly used in judicial and legal investigations, can be valuable in the diagnosis of many diseases associated with genetic disorders. Dental caries although of infectious origin, may have a genetic predisposition. Hence, we evaluated the correlation between dental caries and dermatoglyphic patterns among subjects with and without dental caries and evaluated its association with environmental factors such as salivary pH.


METHODS
Totally, 76 female students within the age group of 18-23 years were clinically examined, and their decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) score and oral hygiene index-simplified were recorded. Based on their DMFT score, they were divided into following three groups; group I (n = 16, DMFT score = 0), group II (n = 30, DMFT score <5), and group III (n = 30, DMFT score ≥5). Their fingerprint patterns and salivary pH were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
Dermatoglyphic pattern distribution in caries-free group showed more ulnar loops than high caries group (group III) while high caries group showed more whorl patterns. Presence of whorl with double loop, whorl within a loop was associated with high DMFT score. The total finger ridge count was lower in caries group. The mean salivary pH was higher in caries-free group than high caries group. Thus, we conclude that dermatoglyphic patterns may be potential diagnostic tool for detecting patients prone to develop dental caries.
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Andamuthu
A
Yamunadevi
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Janardhanam
J
Dineshshankar
Department of Undergraduate Dental Students, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Safeena
S
Banu
Department of Undergraduate Dental Students, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Nilofar
N
Fathima
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ganapathy
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Thukanayakanpalayam Ragunathan
TR
Yoithapprabhunath
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Thangadurai
T
Maheswaran
Department of Oral Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Elayampalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vadivel
V
Ilayaraja
Dental caries; dermatoglyphics; salivary pH