Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the clinical setting, it would be useful to predict which children are at the highest risk of caries to take effective preventive measures. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between finger dermatoglyphics and ameloglyphics and to predict caries susceptibility of primary teeth in association with finger dermatoglyphics. METHODS: Finger dermatoglyphics and ameloglyphics were recorded using the stamp ink pad and cellophane tape techniques, respectively. The association between finger dermatoglyphics and ameloglyphics was analyzed. The hypocalcified areas, micromorphological patterns and the microchemical weight contents of the enamel were investigated using a light microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the fingerprint dermatoglyphics and ameloglyphics (Fisher's exact test = 29.503, P = 0.000) and, this association was a moderate one (Cramér's V = 0.385). The hypocalcified areas of enamel in the form of lamellae, tufts, and spindles were predominated in the teeth related to the arch fingerprint and less predominated in the teeth related to the loop fingerprint patterns. Micromorphological investigation showed enamel rods of irregular and uneven thickness in the teeth related to the arch fingerprint pattern. Whereas, enamel rods were of regular and even thickness in the teeth related to the loop fingerprint patterns. Microchemical analysis for the weight content (kα) of Ca, P, C, and, O elements in the enamel of the teeth related to the arch, loop and whorl fingerprints patterns revealed that the mean values and standard deviations were 23.53 ± 0.15, 25.72 ± 0.02 and 24.77 ± 0.02 for Ca; 12.20 ± 0.05, 13.02 ± 0.01 and 12.17 ± 0.01 for P; 29.47 ± 0.02, 28.77 ± 0.02 and 29.24 ± 0.02 for C; and 34.51 ± 0.01, 32.36 ± 0.02 and 33.68 ± 0.02 for O, respectively. One-way ANOVA statistical test revealed significant differences for the Ca, P, C and O weight content (kα) between three groups (P value = 0.000). CONCLUSION: There is a moderate association between finger dermatoglyphics and ameloglyphics, and finger dermatoglyphics could be used as a handy tool for predicting carious lesions in primary teeth.