IADR Abstract Archives

Genes, teeth and faces: 30 years of studying twins

Objectives: Studies of twins and their families carried out over the past 30 years by the Craniofacial Biology Research Group at the University of Adelaide have provided insights into the roles of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences on human dento-facial growth and development and oral health.  The aims of this presentation are: to review some of the main findings of our studies; to highlight the value of using different twin models, including the monozygotic (MZ) co-twin design; and to describe some of the developments that have occurred over this time in data acquisition and analysis.

Methods: Three cohorts of twins have been recruited, with over 1,200 pairs of twins enrolled.  Records collected have included: dental models; facial and intra-oral photographs; clinical data on caries experience and prevalence of developmental dental anomalies; saliva and plaque samples; palm- and finger-prints, information on functional lateralities; questionnaires about physical development, and general and oral health; and blood or buccal cells for zygosity determination.  The factors influencing phenotypic expression of many dento-facial features have been explored using a variety of twin study designs.

Results: Our studies have shown that the contribution of genetic factors to observed variation differs between different oro-facial structures, with evidence of phenotypic correlations and pleiotropic effects.  Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic effects also play an important role in dental development.  With advances in 2D and 3D imaging, new phenotypes are being recorded with greater validity and reliability than previously.

Conclusions: Through improved phenotyping and the application of modern genome scanning approaches, studies of twins offer exciting new opportunities to clarify how genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors contribute to health and disease in the oro-facial region.

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the NHMRC, ADRF, Foundation for Children and Colgate for their support and we thank the twins and their families for their participation.

Australian/New Zealand Division Meeting
2012 Australian/New Zealand Division Meeting (Denarau Island, Fiji)
Denarau Island, Fiji
2012

Scientific Groups
  • Townsend, Grant  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Hughes, Toby  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Bockmann, Michelle  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Mihailidis, Suzanna  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Brook, Alan  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Harris, Abbe  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Bennett, Corinna  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
  • Pinkerton, Sandra  ( University of Adelaide, Adelaide, N/A, Australia )
    • Craniofacial Biology