Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pulp calcification is associated with many factors and triggers, including individual genetic predisposition and orthodontic forces. This study aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in epidermal growth factor (EGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1), and transforming growth factor-beta receptor 2 (TGFβR2) are associated with a risk of dental pulp calcifications in orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital orthopantomography (OPG) and genomic DNA from 132 patients were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Pulp calcification was observed in the maxillary and mandibular first molars. Genomic DNA extracted from saliva cells was used to genotype eight genetic polymorphisms using real-time polymerase chain reaction: EGF (rs2237051 and rs4444903), EGFR (rs2227983 and rs763317), TGFβ1 (rs1800469 and rs4803455), and TGFβR2 (rs3087465 and rs764522). The association between pulp calcification and genetic polymorphisms was analyzed using allelic and genotypic distributions, and haplotype frequencies (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of pulp calcification was 42.4 % in 490 molars. Genotypic analysis and allelic distribution showed no statistically significant association between the evaluated growth factors and molar calcification (P > 0.05). No haplotype combinations showed a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genetic polymorphisms investigated were not associated with dental pulp calcification in orthodontic patients. Further studies should investigate other polymorphisms in genes encoding growth factors.