Enamel hypoplasia in the primary dentition of monozygotic and dizygotic twins compared with singleton controls

• Published in: International journal of paediatric dentistry 2011-05, Vol.21 (3), p.175-184
• Main Authors: TAJI, SUE S., SEOW, W. KIM, TOWNSEND, GRANT C., HOLCOMBE, TREVOR
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Birth Injuries - complications; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Children; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Defects; Dental enamel; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - epidemiology; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - etiology; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - genetics; Dentistry; Dentition; Diseases in Twins - etiology; Diseases in Twins - genetics; Enamel; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental factors; Female; Humans; Hypoplasia; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Intubation; Male; Neonates; Prevalence; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teeth; Tooth, Deciduous; Twins; Twins, Dizygotic; Twins, Monozygotic
• ISSN: 0960-7439; 1365-263X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2010.01106.x

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 175–184 Background.  The study of enamel hypoplasia (EH) and opacity in twins provides insights into the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the expression of enamel defects. Aim.  This study examined prevalence and site concordance of EH and opacity in the primary dentition of 2‐ to 4‐year‐old twins and singleton controls to assess the relative contribution of genetics and the environment to the aetiology of these defects. Design.  The study sample consisted of 88 twin children and 40 singletons aged 2–4 years of age. Medical histories were obtained and the children examined for enamel defects. Results.  The prevalence of EH by teeth was 21% in monozygotic twins (MZ), 22% in dizygotic twins (DZ), and 15% in singleton controls. Twins showed a higher prevalence of EH compared with singletons (P