Evidence of Association between MTRR and TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Anterior Open Bite

Genetic polymorphisms could explain the inter-individual differences in the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children with anterior open bite (AOB). Objective: To assess the impact of AOB on OHRQoL in children and to evaluate whether MTR (rs1805087), MTRR (rs1801394), TGFβ1 (rs1800469) and TNF-α (rs1799964, rs1799724 and rs1800629) genes are potential biomarkers for OHRQoL in children with AOB. Study design: A cross-sectional study was performed with 173 children aged between 2–6 years. The Brazilian version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was applied. Genetic polymorphisms were analyzed using real-time PCR. Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square were used. Results: The overall mean ECOHIS scores were 5.49 (SD= 5.72) and 3.45 (SD = 4.49) (p < 0.01) in the AOB and control groups, respectively. Children with the CC genotype of TNF-α (rs1799724) had a significantly higher psychological QoL level. The MTRR AA genotype group showed a lower QoL level in the child subscale (p = 0.006), function (p = 0.017), and psychological (p = 0.006) domains. There was no significant difference between OHRQoL and the genetic polymorphisms in MTR and TGFβ1. Conclusions: Genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α and MTRR are associated with the impact on the OHRQoL in children with AOB.