Determination of the Correlation between Dermatoglyphics and Periodontitis: A Case Control Study

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth resulting in progressive destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease currently being hosted response of disease susceptible individuals to the bacterial products. Fingerprint patterns, being unique, unaffected by the environment, have a unique role in identifying an individual and their phenotype characteristics. Determine the correlation between dermatoglyphics and periodontitis and to compare the patterns of individuals with healthy periodontium and those with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Dermatoglyphic patterns of 143 patients with healthy periodontium and 143 patients with periodontitis were analysed to determine the variations of dermatoglyphic patterns: Ulnar loop (U), Radial loop (R), Whorls (W) and Arches (A). The study groups used in this study are: Control, Chronic Periodontitis (CP) and Aggressive Periodontitis (AP). Chi-square test of association (two-tailed) is used for the analysis, and the significance level is taken to be p<0.05 Statistical Analysis was carried out using statistical package, SPSS (version 22.0.0.0). Results: The observations made in the study were a decrease in double loops in aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis, a decrease in ulnar loops and concentric whorls in aggressive periodontitis and an increase in transverse ulnar loops, symmetric whorls, concentric whorls and plain arches in chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics can hence be used for early detection and implementing preventive measures for periodontitis susceptible individuals.