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Related Experiment Videos

Molar intercuspal dimensions: genetic input to phenotypic variation.

G Townsend1, L Richards, T Hughes

  • 1Dental School, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. grant.townsend@adelaide.edu.au

Journal of Dental Research
|April 24, 2003
PubMed
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Epigenetic factors significantly influence molar tooth cusp development, leading to greater variation in intercuspal distances compared to overall crown size. This suggests a complex interplay between genetics and environment in shaping tooth morphology.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Human Genetics
  • Dental Morphology

Background:

  • Epigenetic events play a crucial role in tooth development (odontogenesis).
  • The folding of the internal enamel epithelium determines cusp arrangement in molar teeth.
  • Understanding factors influencing cusp formation is key to comprehending dental variation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenotypic variation and heritability of intercuspal distances versus overall crown diameters in human molars.
  • To test the hypothesis that intercuspal distances exhibit greater phenotypic variation and lower heritability than overall crown diameters.
  • To explore the influence of epigenetic factors on molar cusp development.

Main Methods:

  • Digitized images of dental casts from 100 monozygotic (MZ) and 74 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were analyzed.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurements of intercuspal distances and maximum crown diameters were recorded.
  • Twin study methodology was employed to assess genetic and environmental influences on dental traits.

    • Main Results:

    • Intercuspal distances showed less sexual dimorphism but greater relative variability and fluctuating asymmetry than overall crown measures.
    • Correlations between intercuspal distances and overall crown measures were low.
    • Heritability estimates for intercuspal distances ranged from 43-79%, while overall crown size heritability ranged from 60-82%.

    Conclusions:

    • High phenotypic variation in intercuspal distances, with moderate genetic contribution, supports substantial epigenetic influence.
    • Epigenetic regulation of internal enamel epithelium folding is critical for molar cusp pattern formation.
    • Environmental factors significantly contribute to the observed variation in intercuspal distances.