Genetic Susceptibility to Dental Caries on Pit and Fissure and Smooth Surfaces

J.R. Shaffera, X. Wangb–d, i, R.S. DeSensib–d, i, S. Wendellb–d, i, R.J. Weyantc, e, i, K.T. Cuencob–e, i, R. Croutc, g, i, D.W. McNeilh, M.L. Marazitaa–d, f

aDepartment of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health,
bCenter for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, School of Dental Medicine,
cCenter for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. and West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va.,
dDepartment of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine,
eDepartment of Dental Public Health and Information Management, School of Dental Medicine, and
fClinical and Translational Science Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.;
gDepartment of Periodontics and
hDepartment of Dental Practice and Rural Health and Department of Psychology, West Virgina University, Morgantown, W.Va., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Caries Res 2012;46:38-46 (DOI: 10.1159/000335099)

  Key Words

Dental cariesGenetic correlationGeneticsHeritabilityPermanent dentitionPit and fissure surfacesPrimary dentitionSmooth surfaces

  Abstract

Carious lesions are distributed nonuniformly across tooth surfaces of the complete dentition, suggesting that the effects of risk factors may be surface-specific. Whether genes differentially affect caries risk across tooth surfaces is unknown. We investigated the role of genetics on two classes of tooth surfaces, pit and fissure surfaces (PFS) and smooth surfaces (SMS), in more than 2,600 subjects from 740 families. Participants were examined for surface-level evidence of dental caries, and caries scores for permanent and/or primary teeth were generated separately for PFS and SMS. Heritability estimates (h2, i.e. the proportion of trait variation due to genes) of PFS and SMS caries scores were obtained using likelihood methods. The genetic correlations between PFS and SMS caries scores were calculated to assess the degree to which traits covary due to common genetic effects. Overall, the heritability of caries scores was similar for PFS (h2 = 19–53%; p < 0.001) and SMS (h2 = 17–42%; p < 0.001). Heritability of caries scores for both PFS and SMS in the primary dentition was greater than in the permanent dentition and total dentition. With one exception, the genetic correlation between PFS and SMS caries scores was not significantly different from 100%, indicating that (mostly) common genes are involved in the risk of caries for both surface types. Genetic correlation for the primary dentition dfs (decay + filled surfaces) was significantly less than 100% (p < 0.001), indicating that genetic factors may exert differential effects on caries risk in PFS versus SMS in the primary dentition.

Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Mary L. Marazita, PhD
Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics
University of Pittsburgh, Suite 500 Bridgeside Point, 100 Technology Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (USA)
Tel. +1 412 648 8380, E-Mail marazita@pitt.edu

  Article Information

J.R.S. and X.W. are co-first authors.

Received: March 14, 2011
Accepted after revision: November 14, 2011
Published online: January 25, 2012
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 34

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