Relationship between dermatoglyphics, cheiloscopy, rugoscopy, and dental caries: A cross-sectional study in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Introduction: Early detection of susceptibility to dental caries by studying its genetic basis by effectively utilizing noninvasive, less expensive, and effective tools is gaining popularity. Cariogenesis is affected by a combination of environmental and behavioral factors. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of dermatoglyphic, cheiloscopic, and rugoscopic patterns for assessing the risk of dental caries in children. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 children aged 3–7 years who were divided into two groups based on their decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT/deft) index. Fingerprints, lip prints, and rugae patterns were recorded and analyzed. Results: The most common fingerprints patterns in the children with higher deft scores were loop pattern (52%), followed by whorls (32%) and arches (16%). The branched pattern of lip prints was found to be the most prevalent in all children irrespective of their caries status. Among palatal rugae shapes, wavy was found to be the most prevalent (54%) one in our study population, irrespective of the deft scores. Considering the palatal rugae unifications, it was found that converging type was significantly (P = 0.032) more prevalent in children with less deft scores (32%) compared to those with high deft caries (14%). Conclusion: Palatal rugae unifications have proved to be a good marker of dental caries. Among the various genes that may be playing a role in caries formation, BCOR and BCORL1 genes may also be playing a role in the development of palate and the rugae patterns and also in the development of enamel, which is known to be the most vulnerable dental tissue to dental caries.