Odontogenesis-related candidate genes involved in variations of permanent teeth size

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms in RUNX2, BMP4, BMP2, TGF beta 1, EGF, and SMAD6 and variations in permanent tooth size (TS). Materials and methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 110 individuals' dental casts to determine the maximum tooth crown size of all fully erupted permanent teeth (third molars were excluded) in the mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) dimensions. Genomic DNA was obtained from the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa to evaluate the genetic polymorphisms in RUNX2 (rs59983488 and rs1200425), BMP4 (rs17563), BMP2 (rs235768 and rs1005464), TGF beta 1 (rs1800470), EGF (rs4444903), and SMAD6 (rs2119261 and rs3934908) through real-time PCR. The data were submitted to statistical analysis with a significance level of 0.05. Results The genetic polymorphisms rs59983488, rs1200425, rs17563, rs235768, rs1005464, rs1800470, and rs4444903 were associated with MD and BL TS of the upper and lower arches (p < 0.05). The polymorphism rs2119261 was associated with variation in TS only in the upper arch (p < 0.05). The rs3934908 was not associated with any TS measurement (p > 0.05). Conclusions In summary, this study reports novel associations between variation in permanent TS and genetic polymorphisms in RUNX2, BMP4, BMP2, TGF beta 1, EGF, and SMAD6 indicating a possible role of these genes in dental morphology.

Automated summary

The study identified associations between genetic polymorphisms and variations in permanent tooth size, suggesting a potential role of these genes in dental morphology.