|
 
 |
| LETTER TO EDITOR |
|
| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 12 | Page : 662-664 |
|
Oligodontia with taurodontism in monozygous twins
V Suresh Kandagal1, N Bilahari2, Prashanth Shenai3, Laxmikanth Chatra3, RC Pramod4, KR Ashir5
1 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Satara, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, PSM College of Dental Science and Research, Thrisshur, Kerala, India
3 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College and Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
4 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Satara, Maharashtra, India
5 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, KMCT Dental College, Calicut, Kerala, India
| Date of Web Publication | 4-Dec-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
V Suresh Kandagal
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Satara, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1947-2714.104324
How to cite this article:
Kandagal V S, Bilahari N, Shenai P, Chatra L, Pramod R C, Ashir K R. Oligodontia with taurodontism in monozygous twins. North Am J Med Sci 2012;4:662-4 |
How to cite this URL:
Kandagal V S, Bilahari N, Shenai P, Chatra L, Pramod R C, Ashir K R. Oligodontia with taurodontism in monozygous twins. North Am J Med Sci [serial online] 2012 [cited 2023 Mar 27];4:662-4. Available from: https://www.najms.org/text.asp?2012/4/12/662/104324 |
Dear Editor,
A wide spectrum of developmental pathologies affects the teeth, which includes variation in shape, size, eruption pattern, and number. Tooth agenesis is one such condition that leads to hypodontia and oligodontia. Prevalence of hypodontia was found to be 1.6% to 9.6% in the permanent dentition. Oligodontia is a developmental absence of 6 or more teeth excluding third molars, which affects less than 0.5% of the population. [1],[2],[3] The presence or absence of one or more teeth is decided by genetic and hereditary backgrounds and are expressed with different degrees of severity. It can be associated with microdontia, changes in tooth morphology, delayed and ectopic eruption. [3],[4],[5] Although oligodontia in monozygous twins has been reported in the previous literature, its association with microdontia and taurodontism has not been reported elsewhere.
22-year-old twin sisters reported to our department with a complaint of spacing between the teeth since childhood. Their familial, prenatal, and natal histories were non-contributory. Extra-oral examination of identical twins showed normal features. On intra-oral examination, oral mucosa appeared normal in both cases. The common dental features observed in both the twins were generalized reduction in dimensions of teeth, absence of third molars in both the arches, conical shaped canines, and taurodontism in mandibular first molars.
The oral features observed in twin 1 were generalized microdontia with spacing, missing teeth in relation to 12, 17, 18, 22, 27, 28, 37, 38, 42, 47, 48 and conical-shaped 33 and 43 [Figure 1]a and b. Her panoramic radiographic features were consistent with clinical findings. Both the mandibular first molars were taurodonts. [Figure 1]c Other radiographs like skull, chest, and hand wrist showed no abnormalities.
Twin 2 on intra-oral examination showed generalized microdontia, missing teeth in relation to 12, 22, 17, 18, 27, 28, 32, 45, 37, 38, 47, and 48, conical-shaped 13 and 23. A retained tooth in relation to 85 was noticed [Figure 2]a and b. Panoramic radiograph revealed absence of all the permanent teeth that were clinically missing along with missing third molars in all the quadrants [Figure 2]c.
Considering the history, clinical and radiographic findings, a diagnosis of oligodontia with microdontia and taurodontism was arrived at. The condition was explained to the patients, and a genetic counseling was advised. For esthetic and masticatory function, an orthodontic treatment was recommended.
Tooth agenesis is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Developing teeth are affected by environmental factors such as chemotherapeutic drugs, radiation therapy, fractures, and intrauterine disturbances. Surgical procedures and lack of necessary space on the jaws also plays a role in causing anodontia. [5] However, none of these environmental factors attributed to oligodontia in our case.
In familial hypodontia, the type of inheritance seems to be autosomal-dominant with incomplete penetration and variable expressivity. [4] Oligodontia is caused by mutations in PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, EDA, EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A. However, the vast majority of cases of tooth agenesis is less severe and may be the result of hypomorphic genetic variations in multiple genes. The homebox genes as well as alteration in epithelial mesenchymal interactions could lead to tooth agenesis. [6]
A genetic etiology associated with oligodontia alerts the clinician about the importance of family history after ruling out any possible environmental factors and systemic syndromes. [7],[8]
As Monozygotic twins showed a significantly higher concordance rate for hypodontia than the dizygotic ones, our case was in favorable towards the genetic concept found in monozygotic twins with similar pattern of oligodontia.
Tooth agenesis is frequently associated with microdontia. A reduction in tooth size represents an incomplete expression of the same genetic defect. In patients with oligodontia, the reduction of tooth size is even more remarkable. [7],[8],[9] This was in accordance with the present case.
In the present case, monozygotic twins had agenesis of 7 teeth excluding third molars with microdontia. The similarities in the agenesis of teeth had suggested the possibility of a genetic influence. Environmental factors may also play a minor role in differences of dentitions in twins. In present case, twin 2 showed retained 85 in contrast to twin 1, which could be due to environmental factors. In addition to tooth agenesis, twins had generalized microdontia with spacing and taurodontism.
Seow and Lai [10] found that 38.4% of patients with hypodontia had taurodontism in one mandibular first molar compared with only 7.5% without hypodontia. This was in favor of our report, as taurodontism was associated with hypodontia in both the twins.
The treatment of oligodontia aims at improving the patient's appearance, speech, masticatory efficiency, and psychological feeling by replacing the missing teeth with multidisciplinary approach. [6] Early recognition of this condition is vital to provide adequate treatment and prevent mal-occlusion. Restoration with removable and fixed partial denture, implant retained prosthesis or a combination of these therapies are the treatment options. However, in the present case, fixed orthodontic treatment was instituted and recalled for follow-up.
This case report describes similar tooth agenesis, microdontia, and taurodontism in monozygotic twins. These dental anomalies are frequently encountered in different individuals, and it is rare to see them together in a physically normal child. Genetic link associated with oligodontia help the dentist to know the possibility of its occurrence in other family members and in future generations. Proper treatment at the appropriate time should be instituted to avoid psychological, esthetic, and functional consequences in patients with oligodontia.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Adeboye SO, Cole BO, Hobson RS, Wright MJ. Severe hypodontia in a set of triplets. Br Dent J 2006;201:93-6. 
[PUBMED] |
| 2. | Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, Bouquot JE. Oral and maxillofacial pathology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1995; p. 60-1.
|
| 3. | Garib DG, Alencar BM, Ferreira FV, Ozawa TO. Associated dental anomalies: The orthodontist decoding the genetics which regulates the dental development disturbances. J Orthod 2010;15:138-57.
|
| 4. | Vastardis H. The genetics of human tooth agenesis: New discoveries for understanding dental anomalies. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2000;117:650-6.
[PUBMED] |
| 5. | Klein ML, Nieminen P, Lammi L, Niebuhr E, Kreiborg S. Novel mutation of the initiation codon of PAX9 causes oligodontia. J Dent Res 2005;84:43-7.
[PUBMED] |
| 6. | Kulkarni M, Agarwal T, Kheur S. Tooth agenesis newer concept. J Clin Pediatr Dent 2011;36:65-9.
|
| 7. | Kindelan JD, Rysiecki G, Childs WP. Hypodontia: Genotype or Environment? A case report of monozygotic twins. Br J Orthod 1998;25:175-8.
[PUBMED] |
| 8. | Sàndor GK, Carmichael RP, Coraza L, Clokie CM, Jordan RC. Genetic mutations in certain head and neck conditions of interest to the dentist. J Can Dent Assoc 2001;67:583-8.
|
| 9. | Matalova E, Fleischmannova J, Sharpe PT, Tucker AS. Tooth agenesis: From molecular genetics to molecular dentistry. J Dent Res 2008;87:617-23.
|
| 10. | Manjunatha BS, Kovvuru SK. Taurodontism-A Review on its etiology, prevalence and clinical considerations. J Clin Exp Dent 2010;2:187-90.
|
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
|
Search Pubmed for