Archives

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is the dermal ridge configuration of digits, palms and soles that might have a potential role in predicting the anomalies related to orofacial regions. The relation of fingerprint pattern with malocclusion is studied because the development of teeth and its associated structures coincide with the development of epidermal ridges during embryogenesis.

Objective: The objectives were to identify the dermatoglyphic pattern, types of malocclusion and to establish their association among individuals visiting a medical institution of Nepal.

Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 individuals of 16-24 years visiting a medical institution of Nepal. Oral examination for malocclusion and record of finger prints were done. Proportion and percentage of dermatoglyphic patterns and types of malocclusion were calculated. Chi-square test was done for determining the association of dermatoglyphic pattern with malocclusion using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software with significance level set at P < 0.05.

Result: Many individuals (92, 43.8%) had Angle’s Class I, followed by Class II (83,39.5%) and Class III (35, 16.7%) malocclusion. Dermatoglyphic pattern commonly found was loop (1079), followed by whorl (785), and arch (236). Most of the individuals with class I and II malocclusion had at least one loop pattern than those with class III; their proportional difference being statistically significant (P=0.020).

Conclusion: The study concluded that Class I was the most common type of malocclusion among the study participants. The most predominant fingerprint was loop pattern and was associated with Class I and II malocclusion.

Dermatoglyphic pattern; fingerprint; malocclusion.