Effect of different interceptive orthodontic treatments in dizygotic twins. Case report.

Abstract

Introduction: Dentomaxillary anomalies constitute the third most prevalent oral pathology in Chile. The size and shape of craniofacial structures are known to be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Twin studies allows a better evaluation of the genetic effect on the craniofacial structure, minimizing the environmental effect. Furthermore, there is evidence that facial similarity between twins may decrease with age, as growth-related changes in most facial variables appear to be under genetic control that is relatively weak. Objective: describe the evolution of different interceptive orthodontic treatments in dizygotic twins. Case presentation: 10-year-old twins presented for interceptive orthodontic treatment control, after being treated for 30 months for crossbite by two different treaters, one of the twins used a removable upper appliance with a central expansion screw and after this, used a cemented appliance with a hyrax expander screw; while the other twin only used this last one, but with a different duration. They have a hereditary history of the anomaly. Currently, both present simple inverted bite, bilateral molar mesioclusion and skeletal class III due to protruding mandible. Conclusions: The evidence reports that most dental parameters are significantly heritable with up to 85% of the variation attributable to genetic factors. It is important that the pediatric dentist knows the nature of dentomaxillary anomalies and treats considering the etiology in each case. Recognizing the family history is a tool to treat and predict how the observed dentomaxillary anomaly will evolve.