A comparative evaluation between cheiloscopic patterns and the permanent molar relationships to predict the future...

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Forensic Odontology
• Genetics

Background:

• Assessing correlations between cheiloscopic patterns and permanent molar relationships.
• Investigating the potential of lip prints as a diagnostic tool in orthodontics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between various lip print patterns and Angle's classification of molar relationships.
• To determine if lip prints can predict malocclusions in adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 300 adolescents (14-16 years old) with fully erupted second permanent molars.
• Recorded molar terminal plane and analyzed lip prints using the lipstick-cellophane method.
• Classified lip print patterns based on Tsuchihashi and Suzuki criteria.

Main Results:

• Type II (branched) was the most common lip print pattern.
• Specific patterns correlated with Angle's classifications: Type I for Class I, Type IV for Class II, and Type IV (presence)/Type I' (absence) for Class III.
• Class III malocclusion showed a higher prevalence of Type II in males and Type IV in females.

Conclusions:

• Cheiloscopy offers a potential alternative to dermatoglyphics for predicting malocclusions.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm significant correlations.
• Lip print analysis may aid in early detection and management of dental malocclusions.