Dermatoglyphic Characterization of Dental Caries and its Correlation to Salivary Ph. An in vivo Study Sharma Anshu1, Singh Mousami2, Chaudhary Seema3, Bajaj Niti4, Bhalla Manish5, Singh Jaspal6 1Senior lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad-244001, Uttarpradesh, INDIA 2Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, ITS Dental college and hospital, Greater Noida, Uttar pradesh 3Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Kothiwal Dental College and Research centre, Moradabad-24401, Uttarpradesh, INDIA 4Reader, DJ College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA 5Post Graduate Student, Department of Community Dentistry, KD Dental college and hospital, Mathura 6Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, KD Dental college and hospital, Mathura Online published on 26 February, 2013. Abstract Aim The aim was to determine a correlation as well as significant difference, if any for dermatoglyphics and the salivary pH between control (caries free) and subject groups (carious teeth). Methods Ninty patients divided into 45 subjects and 45 controls were selected by predefined criteria. Dermatoglyphic recording was done by using Cummins and Midlo method. Stimulated saliva was collected from patient's mouth and the pH was analyzed by a digital pH sensor. The data was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using Pearsons correlation coefficient and two sample t test (for equal variances) Results A moderate correlation was observed between the control (0.4548) and subject groups (0.4372) for whorls and salivary pH. The difference for salivary pH between the subject and control groups was mean 0.396, 95%C.I., 0.25 to 0.54, t=5.4, df=88, P=.05. where as for whorls between the subject and control groups was mean -2.466, 95%C.I., -3.2 to -1.6, t=-6.32, df=88, P=0.05. The large t statistic 5.4720 (salivary pH) and -6.3243 (whorls) rejects the null hypothesis that salivary pH and whorls between control and subject group have the same mean at P=0.05. The average salivary pH in control group was higher as compared to subject group where as average whorls in control group was lower as compared to subject group Conclusion Dermatoglyphics may serve as a noninvasive reliable genetic marker for dental caries. Mass education is required to amplify this research into clinical practice with additional research to envade a new epoch in caries research. Top Keywords Whorls, Salivary pH, Dental caries, Dermatoglyphics. Top |