ASSOCIATION OF CHEILOSCOPY, DACTYLOSCOPY, AND PALATAL RUGOSCOPY WITH PERMANENT MOLAR RELATIONSHIP IN CHILDREN

Background: To record and study the correlation of the predominance of recorded cheiloscopic, dactyloscopic and palatal rugoscopic patterns with molar relationship in 8-15 years of children in order to determine if there exists any association between them. Material and Methods: 505 children of age group 8-15 years of old with completely erupted 2nd permanent molars upto occlusal table were recruited and angles molar relation was recorded in the proforma. Lip prints of these subjects were recorded with lipstick-cellophane method and middle 10mm of lower lip was analysed for the lip print pattern as suggested by Sivapathasundharam et al. The patterns were classified based on Tsuchihashi and Suzuki classification. The patent prints of finger were recorded in the performa and analysed according to Michael Kucknas method. The palatal rugae was obtained by photographs and alginate impression of the upper arch for each patient and were defined using a sharp graphite pencil under adequate light and magnification and were recorded according to the classification given by Thomas and Kotze classification. Results: In cheiloscopic patterns: Type I pattern was found to be the most predominant cheiloscopic pattern in class I and class III molar relation whereas Type II pattern in class II molar relation. The composite patterns showed the most prominent dactyloscopic patterns in class I and class II molar relation and loop patterns were found as the most prominent in class III molar relation. In case of rugoscopic pattern in class 1 and class 3 molar relation group, the curve pattern showed the most prominent and wavy pattern in class 2 molar relation. No statistical significance was found in all the three parameters. Conclusions:co -relation of the lip, finger and palatal rugae patterns with molar relation might aid in the early diagnosis and interception of malocclusion among paediatric patients as it is easily accessible, economical and non-invasive marker for the aforementioned conditions.Further investigations, may be required on the relationship between cheiloscopic, dactyloscopy and rugoscopic patterns with malocclusion in order to substantiate the findings presented herein.