Genetic Influences on Dental Maturation: A Twin Study

The genetics has been shown as one of the most important factor influencing the growth and development of the dentofacial complex. Dental development, one of the most reliable indicators of chronological age (CA), has been believed to be fundamentally influenced by genetics rather than environmental factors. As twins share genetic variation (100% for monozygotic and 50% for dizygotic twins) and were subjected to the similar environmental factors, the twin studies have been presented useful and effective method to researchers for investigating the influence of heredity on dental development and observing the similarities and differences among twin pairs.

Evaluation of dental development is among the most commonly used and reliable method for dental age determination using the morphological parameters of teeth on dental radiographs. Dental maturity, defined as a dental age (DA), is very important in forensic anthropology to identify cases and in dentistry for planning pedodontic and orthodontic treatment, and also determining a child's growth and developmental status.

There are many dental age estimation methods which are mostly based on the morphological evaluation of dental growth observed from dental radiographs in children In order to estimate dental age, Demirjian's, Willems' and Nolla's methods were used. All panoramic radiographs were scored by one observer to eliminate the inter-observer error.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Dental Age Estimation Methods

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 171

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Isparta, Turkey
    • Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 5 years to 13 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

A total of MZ and DZ pairs between the ages of 5.0 and 12.9 who attended to the Department of Pedodontics at Suleyman Demirel University and underwent radiological examination for any dental reason during the dental treatment period from January 2018 to January 2021

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• good quality of panoramic radiographs, presence of all permanent mandibular and maxillar teeth except the third molars
• healthy children with normal eruption of teeth,
• children with similiar etnic origin and socio-economic status

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with any syndromes, congenital or developmental anomalies and systemic diseases,
• Children undergoing or with previous orthodontic treatment history,
• Children with tooth agenesis, dental trauma history

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Demirjian method; According to the Demirjian method, the development of the seven left mandibular permanent teeth (except the third molar) were rated on the eight-stage scale from A to H. Each stage of mineralization was given a score, total dental maturity score was evaluated according to standard tables for boys and girls
Willems method; Willems' method was determined using the Demirjian calcification stages but scores were evaluated according to Willems' specific tables
Nolla method; In the Nolla method, the development of seven left mandibular and maxillar teeth were defined on 10 stages. If the tooth was between stages an appropriate fraction (0.2, 0.5 or 0.7) was added. The total score was determined according to the tables prepared for girls and boys as recommended by Nolla

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Demirjian method	the development of the seven left mandibular permanent teeth (except the third molar) were rated on the eight-stage scale from A to H. Each stage of mineralization was given a score, total dental maturity score was evaluated according to standard tables for boys and girls	up to 3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Willems method	Willems' method was determined using the Demirjian calcification stages but scores were evaluated according to Willems' specific tables	up to 3 years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Nolla method	In the Nolla method, the development of seven left mandibular and maxillar teeth were defined on 10 stages. If the tooth was between stages an appropriate fraction (0.2, 0.5 or 0.7) was added. The total score was determined according to the tables prepared for girls and boys as recommended by Nolla	up to 3 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Suleyman Demirel University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 23, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): March 26, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 29, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2021
• Last Verified: March 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2018/232

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No