The Genetic Contribution to Dental Maturation

Abstract

It has been established in the literature that there is a major genetic impact on tooth size (Potter et al., 1976; Corruccini and Sharma, 1985; Sharma et al., 1985), tooth morphology (Kraus and Furr, 1952; Biggerstaff, 1970), and root formation (Garn et al., 1960; Green and Aszkler, 1970). None of the studies concerning root formation, however, used the more advanced method of path analysis and model fitting to estimate genetic influence. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic and environmental influence on dental maturation. Dental age scores were determined on panoramic radiographs of 58 pairs of twins-26 monozygotic (MZ) and 32 dizygotic (DZ)-with the method of Demirjian et al. (1973). No mirror-image effect was found between the sides of the same individual or between twin members, so dental maturation seems to be symmetrical for both left and right sides of the mandible. Correlation coefficients were significantly higher in MZ than in DZ twins, which suggests a genetic influence. Model fitting showed that the variation in dental age was best explained by additive genetic influences (A-component) (43%) and by environmental factors common to both twins (C-component) (50%). The specific environment (E-component) added only 8% to the model. The importance of the common environmental factor can be explained by the fact that twins, being raised together, share the same prenatal, natal, and immediate post-natal conditions that are of importance for the formation of the teeth.