Dermatoglyphics: A noninvasive diagnostic tool in predicting class III skeletal malocclusion in children

Abstract

Background: Dermatoglyphics is a scientific study that deals with the epidermal ridges and their configurations on certain body parts such as fingers, palms, and soles. In humans, during the intrauterine life (IUL) the primary palate, lip, and dermal ridges are formed during the same period, the genetic code engineered in the genome normal or abnormal is mirrored on these developing structures. Thus making dermatoglyphic a preceding tool in dental diagnosis. Aims and objectives: The study aimed at evaluating dermatoglyphics as a tool in diagnosing malocclusion by comparing qualitative and quantitative dermal patterns in class I and class III skeletal malocclusion. Materials and methods: Sixty subjects fulfilling inclusion-criteria were segregated into two groups, group I (class I skeletal malocclusion) and group II (class III skeletal malocclusion) with 30 subjects in each group. Dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded using ink method following rolling impression technique on recording sheets. The dermatoglyphic data were assessed for different finger ridge patterns, total finger ridge count, a–b ridge count, and atd angle. Results: The data were analyzed using Chi-square and paired t tests. In skeletal class III malocclusion, there was an increase in loop count and a decrease in the count of whorls and arches as compared to class I malocclusion (p = 0.037). However, in relation to total finger ridge count, a–b ridge count, and atd angle, there was no statistically significant difference found between the groups. Conclusion: The end of the study derived that the fingerprint patterns are valuable and ineradicable markers of malocclusion. Thus, the dermatoglyphics can be utilized as a screening tool for early prediction of skeletal class III malocclusion at a younger age-group. Further studies are suggested with the inclusion of other parameters using the inkless biometric method in different populations.