STUDY OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF THE UPPER FIRST PERMANENT MOLAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NONSYNDROMIC TOOTH AGENESIS

Genetic factors play a significant role in the complex etiology of non-syndromic tooth agenesis. However, little is known about the genetic components that affect frequently occurring dental variations. Our objectives were to examine the correlation between different morphometric characteristics of the upper first permanent molars and genetic variants of the MSX1 gene in subjects with known genetic changes. Morphometric measurements were made for 31 individuals with non-syndromic tooth agenesis and 69 controls, with known genetic background. A total number of 167 upper permanent molar teeth were examined. To determine the morphological changes of the upper first permanent molars, the dental cast of each participant was examined. We observed statistically significant results at the level of the MSX1 rs12532 and MSX1 rs8670 genes when we examined the presence and the size of the cusp of Carabelli. Variations in morphological results were linked to the MSX1 rs8670 mutation and our results demonstrate that patients without hypodontia have more frequent Carabelli cusps than subjects with hypodontia.