Role of Dermal Ridge Patterns in Prediction of Periodontal DiseaseA Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the supporting tissues of the teeth and was initially thought to be environmental in origin. The difference in the disease prevalence among the population could not be attributed to environment alone. Limited studies have been done on diagnosing the future occurrence of periodontal diseases by recording the finger print patterns of the patients. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between finger prints patterns existing among patients with plaque induced gingivitis, chronic localised and generalised periodontitis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study, carried out over a period of 6 months from January 2022 to July 2022) at Rajas Dental College and Hospital, Kavalkinaru. Subjects were equally divided into three groups including 100 patients under each group- Group-I as plaque induced gingivitis, group II as localised chronic periodontitis and group III as generalised chronic periodontitis based on 1999 classification system. The finger print patterns observed were loops, whorls and arches. The fingerprint patterns were compared within the group and also between the three groups. Boneferroni test and analysis of variance test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Total of 300 patients were included in this study, out of which 175 were males and 125 were females with the mean age 34.16±1.33 years. On comparison of the fingertip patterns within the groups, a significantly equal distribution of whorl and loop patterns with a value of 4.950±3.11 and 4.750±3.10 respectively were found among the Group-I subjects. A significantly increased prevalence of whorls with a value of 5.300±3.37 was found in Group-II subjects and significantly increased prevalence of loop pattern with a value of 5.800±2.72 was found among Group-III subjects. The arch pattern was more in Group-II and GroupIII when compared to Group-I with a value of 1.450±2.21 and 1.200±1.33, respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that a strong association between fingerprint patterns and chronic periodontitis existed. The present study proved that dermatoglyphics can be used as a powerful tool for early prediction and better prevention of periodontitis.