Comparison of dental caries and periodontal disease with dermatoglyphic patterns and salivary p

Introduction

Sir Harold Cummins introduced the term Dermatoglyphics in 1926, which is derived from two Greek words (Derma-skin; glyphics-carvings) refers to the study of the naturally occurring patterns on the surface of the hands and feet.^[1], ^[2], ^[3], ^[4], ^[5] By the end of 19th century, Sir Francis Galton put forth a rule called ‘proof of no change’. This rule states that dermatoglyphics of an individual remain unchanged throughout their lifetime.^[2] They are considered as window of congenital abnormalities and is a sensitive indicator of intrauterine anomalies.^[1], ^[2], ^[3]

Dermatoglyphic patterns are largely genetically determined and remain unchanged from birth to death.^[1] They are subjected to alteration when both environmental and genetic alterations exceed threshold level during the development and differentiation of dermal ridges.^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19], ^[20] Around 10th to 11th week of gestation, the first appearance of these ridges are in the form of localized cell proliferations which shows shallow corrugations that project into the superficial layer of the dermis, which was given by William J Babler in 1976.^[5] There are two types of ridges formed which are named as primary and secondary ridges. Primary ridges are responsible for the formation of dermatoglyphic patterns whereas secondary ridges found at the apex of the primary ridges at regular intervals were modified into sebaceous glands.^[5], ^[6] Dermatoglyphic patterns can determine a number of parameters which could be helpful in diagnosis and treatment of examined individuals since they were unique for each person, and is not even same in monozygotic twins. Thus, they acts as important tool in assessing the children with suspected genetic disorders and also in forensics.^[2]

Sir Francis Galton in 1892 classified finger print patterns into three basic types based on the degree of curvature of the ridges which includes Loops, Arches and Whorls [[Figure 1]].^[2], ^[3] Loops indicate when there is a single backward turn, but no twist. They can be further subdivided based on opening of ridges as radial loop which opens towards the radial margin and ulnar loop towards the ulnar margin. Arches are formed when the ridges run from one margin of the digit to the other without making any backward turn or twist. A whorl is distinguished by its concentric design, in which the majority of ridges make circuits around the core and forms one complete circle.^[2], ^[3], ^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19], ^[20], ^[21], ^[22], ^[23], ^[24], ^[25], ^[26], ^[27], ^[28]

The application of these patterns to oral manifestations like dental caries and periodontal diseases are rationalized due to similarities in environmental and genetic factors between teeth and skin during their development. Both the ridged skin and teeth develop at the same time around the 6th to 7th week of the embryonic period and from the same layer (ectoderm). Hence, the genetic information contained in the genome is dissipated during this period, and any disturbance which affecting the tooth development and structure will be simultaneously reflected through change in dermatoglyphic patterns.^[7]

The present study was designed to evaluate the comparison between dermatoglyphic patterns, dental caries and periodontal disease by analyzing the fingerprint patterns. The salivary p^H was also recorded from all the subjects to assess any possible correlation.

Materials and Methods

Patients who were having dental caries and CGP were selected from regular outpatient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, CKS Theja dental college, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethical committee. All the participants were explained about the study and informed consent was obtained. Non-willing subjects and subjects who were not able to record their finger prints, e.g., those who had trauma to fingertips, subjects with skin disorders, etc., and those with systemic diseases were excluded from the study.

Method of collection of data

Brief case history with clinical examination and DMFT index from group I and Russell’s periodontal index from group II were recorded by using Autoclaved instruments like Odontoscope [mouth mirror], shepherd probe and sterile cotton.

Results

Group I showed more incidence of Whorl patterns than Group II and group III. Group II showed more incidence of ulnar loop patterns than Group I & III. Comparison of all types of patterns between Group I, II & III showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to whorl and ulnar loop patterns [[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]]. Mean Salivary p^H was higher in group III followed by group I and group II [[Table 4]]. Comparison of salivary p^H between the groups by using ANOVA showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) [[Table 5]]. There was no significant difference observed with respect to radial loops & arch patterns between Group I, II & III.

Discussion

The ridges have various characteristics which play an important role in personal identification and also in human biology for various reasons.^[1] Forensic experts studied these ridge patterns as an unaltered tool for identification because they remain same from cradle to grave until the human body decomposes and palmists also have been studied them for fortune telling.^[8] During intrauterine period, dermatoglyphic patterns share their development time with the development and completion of dental hard tissues. They are being related by origin, the association has also been thought to be present in factors affecting and influencing dental structures, to have an effect on the dermal ridges. Dermatoglyphic patterns have been drawn attention in the field of dentistry and has been used to unveil oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal disease, dental fluorosis, oral cancer, bruxism, malocclusion, anomalies of teeth, cleft lip and cleft palate.^[2], ^[3], ^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9]

Even though DC and periodontitis are multi-factorial diseases, the genetic predisposition, environmental and host factors are considered to be important.^[7] DC and periodontitis might be the most possible reasons for changes in the oral balance, they may be assessed by measuring important salivary parameters particularly the salivary p^H.^[10] A salivary p^H of 7.0 indicates a healthy dental and periodontal situation; p^H below 7.0 usually indicates acidemia. If this chronic condition exists, then the oral cavity is more susceptible to DC, halitosis and periodontitis.^[11] Saliva is vital to the integrity of the teeth as well as the soft tissues of oral cavity. It can maintain its p^H by two mechanisms. Firstly, by the flow of saliva, carbohydrates that could be metabolized by bacteria are eliminated and also removes acids which are produced by bacteria. The other reason might be neutralization of acidic drinks and foods by the buffering activity of saliva.^[11] Thus, in the present study two important parameters has been considered to correlate, one was genetic component, dermatoglyphics and the other one being oral environmental factor, salivary p^H.

Dermatoglyphic patterns may be in the forms of loops, whorls or arches, In the present study, results obtained were showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to whorls and ulnar loop patterns in patients with DC (Group I) and CGP (Group II) respectively at slightly lower salivary p^H towards controls (Group III) [[Table 1]] [[Table 2]] [[Table 4]]. The results obtained in the present study were in accordance with the previous studies done by Abhilash PR et al.^[5], Sharma A et al.^[12], Atasu M et al.^[13]

Abhilash PR et al. investigated and analyzed the significance of dermatoglyphics in predicting the susceptibility of individuals to develop DC and reported that the DC susceptibility of an individual increased with incidence of whorl pattern and it decreased with incidence of loop pattern.^[5] Similarly, Sharma A et al. conducted a study to determine correlation between salivary bacteria interactions, dermatoglyphics and DC. He found that DC group had a decreased frequency of loops, whereas control group had an increased frequency of loops on all palmar digits. He also observed significant difference between subject and control groups for microbial growth.^[12] Padma et al. in their study, evaluated the dermatoglyphic peculiarities and caries experience of deaf and mute children. They found an increased frequency of whorl patterns in caries group and loops were more in caries free group.^[9]

Atasu M et al. conducted a study to evaluate dermatoglyphic findings in patients with periodontal diseases and reported that dermatoglyphics could be used together with the other diagnostic methods and in the identification of the patients from distinct groups of periodontal diseases.^[13] A study done by Takahashi et al. on the effect of salivary p^H on the growth of microorganisms showed that P.gingivalis grows at a p^H of 6.5-7.0, P.intermedia grows at a p^H of 5.0-7.0 and F.nucleatum grows at a p^H of 5.5-7.0. He concluded that the periodonto-pathogens grows in a mildly acidic p^H. This is in accordance with the present study for salivary p^H of CGP.^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19], ^[20], ^[21], ^[22], ^[23], ^[24], ^[25], ^[26], ^[27], ^[28], ^[29], ^[30], ^[31]

The above previous studies were showed similar findings with the present study observations and reaffirms the role of genetic factors and environmental factors like salivary p^H in the causation of DC and periodontal disease.

Conclusion

The present study showed that DC was seen in people with more number of Whorl patterns and periodontal disease with ulnar loop patterns at lower salivary p^H. Dermatoglyphics might play a significant role in the near future not only for the purpose of screening but also for studying the behaviour of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Since, it is still an inexact science at the present time, further extensive research and studies in this field have to be done in order to evaluate the significance of these variations in the dermatoglyphic patterns of patients with DC and periodontal diseases.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.