Polymorphisms in , , and predispose Egyptian adults to dental caries: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study investigates the distributional discrepancies of four single-nucleotide polymorphic loci as correlatives and causatives of dental caries susceptibility among Egyptians.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study through the genotyping of enamelin ( rs3796703), ameloblastin ( rs4694075), tuftelin 1 ( rs78802584), and kallikrein 4 ( rs2242670) in 132 adults (males = 74, females = 58) and 72 controls (males = 40, females = 32) referred from various Egyptian hospitals. For each participant, the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth was charted, and the presence of biofilm/gingivitis/fluorosis was assessed. Bitewing radiographs were taken to detect interproximal caries. In addition, statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test, odds ratios, and corresponding -values.

Results: The alleles and genotypes of rs3796703, rs4694075, and rs2242670 correlated strongly with dental caries susceptibility. However, rs78802584 did not exhibit such associations.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential role of , , and as determinants of dental caries susceptibility among Egyptian adults. The role of , , and genetic variants is determinant in influencing susceptibility to dental caries in the Egyptian population, providing valuable insights into the genetic aspects of oral health. However, the lack of associations of caries susceptibility with rs78802584 contradicts its cariogenic role in many ethnicities.