Identification of Dermal Crease Patterns as a Link between Genetics and Periodontitis: Reliability and Credibility

Abstract

Introduction: The disruptions in the ectodermal layer during intrauterine growth in the process of the formation of epidermal ridges can be linked to the association between dermatoglyphics and abnormalities of the tooth and periodontium. Given the genetic linkage of periodontal disease this study was hypothesized at observing the association of chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and individuals with healthy periodontium as per the 1999 AAP classification of periodontitis with their fingerprint patterns and ridge count. Materials and Methods: Patients belonging to an age cohort of 18–50 who visited the department of periodontics and implantology were included in the study. Patients’ periodontal status was determined and was enrolled in the study. A total of 114 subjects were compared, where 38 subjects belonged to the individual group of periodontal condition that are designated as Group A (healthy), Group B (chronic periodontitis), and Group C (aggressive periodontitis). A total of 1140 fingerprints were collected. They were analyzed and classified according to their patterns and also the ridges were counted. Results: The comparison between three groups showed a statistically significant difference between increased percentage frequency of radial loops (28%) in chronic periodontitis and plain whorls (26.3%) in aggressive periodontitis. There was a significant difference between ridge count among all the three groups, the highest being in healthy and the least between aggressive periodontal conditions. Conclusion: Observations of the study show that there was a difference in fingerprint pattern between patients of all the three periodontal conditions indicating a link between epidermal ridges and condition of periodontium.