Exploring the Underlying Genetics of Craniofacial Morphology through Various Sources of Knowledge

The craniofacial complex is the billboard of sorts containing information about sex, health, ancestry, kinship, genes, and environment. A thorough knowledge of the genes underlying craniofacial morphology is fundamental to understanding craniofacial biology and evolution. These genes can also provide an important foundation for practical efforts like predicting faces from DNA and phenotype-based facial diagnostics. In this work, we focus on the various sources of knowledge regarding the genes that affect patterns of craniofacial development. Although tremendous successes recently have been made using these sources in both methodology and biology, many challenges remain. Primary among these are precise phenotyping techniques and efficient modeling methods.

Summary of the IADR Cariology Research, Craniofacial Biology, and Mineralized Tissue Groups Symposium, Iguaçu Falls, Brazil, June 2012: Gene-environment Interactions and Epigenetics in Oral Diseases: Enamel Formation and its Clinical Impact on Tooth Defects, Caries, and Erosion

Characteristics of enamel may influence or modulate individual susceptibility to caries and erosion. These characteristics are defined during development, which is under strict genetic control, but can easily be modified in many ways by environmental factors. In the symposium, translational aspects of embryology, biochemistry, and genetics of amelogenesis were presented. The symposium provided unique insight into how basic sciences integrate with clinically relevant problems. The need for improved understanding of risks at the individual level, taking into consideration both environmental exposures and genetic background, was presented. The symposium was divided into four stepwise and interconnected topics as follows: 1) The Many Faces of Enamel Development; 2) Enamel Pathogenesis: Biochemistry Lessons; 3) Environmental Factors on Enamel Formation; and, 4) Genetic Variation in Enamel Formation Genes.

A Cephalometric Study to Evaluate the Variations in Pharyngeal Airway Spaces in Class I and Class II Malcocclusions

Introduction: Ever since the time of Edward H. Angle, the effects of upper airway obstruction have been recognized in the field of craniofacial biology. Because of the close relationship between the pharynx and the dentofacial structures, a mutual interaction is expected to occur between the pharyngeal structures and the dentofacial pattern, and therefore justifies orthodontic interest. The purpose of this study was to compare the upper and lower pharyngeal widths and nasopharyngeal area in class I and class II malocclusion patients. Methods: The study sample consisted of 48 subjects of age group 18-26 years, divided into 2 groups : class I(n=24) and class II(n=24). Pharyngeal airways were assessed according to Mc Namara's analysis and Handelman and Osborne method of measuring pharyngeal widths and nasopharyngeal areas. Results: Independent t –test showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in upper aerial width and nasopharyngeal airway area between two groups, showing that in class II cases upper aerial width is narrower and nasopharyngeal area is small when compared to class I cases. Conclusion: Conclusion of the study was that upper aerial width and nasopharyngeal airway area of class II cases were smaller than Class I cases. It was observed that mandibular position with respect to cranial base had an effect on pharyngeal airway.