Umbrella review identifies genetic variants influencing dental caries susceptibility across multiple biological pathways

Dental caries susceptibility varies significantly even among individuals with similar environmental exposures, suggesting a strong genetic component. Genetic factors are estimated to account for 49.1% to 62.7% of this individual difference. Current understanding of specific genetic variants, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and their roles in pathways like tooth development and mineralization (TDM), salivary composition and function (SCF), immune and inflammatory responses (IMR), and taste perception and signaling (TPS), remains fragmented. This review aims to synthesize existing evidence on these genetic associations to provide a clearer picture of genetic predisposition to caries.

This study conducted an umbrella review and multilevel meta-analysis to synthesize evidence on the association between genetic variants and dental caries susceptibility. Researchers systematically analyzed existing genetic association studies, grouping identified variants into four functional categories: tooth development and mineralization, salivary composition and function, immune and inflammatory responses, and taste perception and signaling. The methodology involved assessing the effect of variant alleles on disease susceptibility using various genetic models, including allelic, dominant, recessive, and genotype-based comparisons (heterozygote, homozygote, wild-type).

The provided text is only the introduction to the study; therefore, specific quantitative findings, such as particular genetic variants, their effect sizes, or p-values from the meta-analysis, are not available in this excerpt. The study's objective was to identify and categorize genetic variants, specifically single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with dental caries susceptibility. These variants were intended to be grouped into four functional areas: tooth development and mineralization (TDM), salivary composition and function (SCF), immune and inflammatory responses (IMR), and taste perception and signaling (TPS). The introduction highlights that genes involved in the formation of dental hard tissues, like amelogenin (AMELX/AMEL), are among the most studied due to their role in regulating enamel and dentine development and mineralization, influencing tooth strength and integrity. The full results of which specific SNPs or genes were found to be significantly associated, and with what statistical strength, are not present in the provided text. The review aimed to consolidate evidence on genetic factors contributing to dental caries susceptibility.

Genetic factors are estimated to account for between 49.1% and 62.7% of individual differences in dental caries susceptibility.