Metric and morphologic characteristics of the dentition in beta thalassaemia major in man

Twenty-two thalassaemia major patients (11 males and 11 females) and their parents and their healthy siblings were examined, dental impressions taken in alginate and casts in plaster were studied. Thalassaemics were compared with like sexed parents and siblings, many of whom were affected by beta thalassaemia minor. Morphological traits of the teeth were examined. Length (M-D) and width (B-L) of the teeth were measured and comparisons made between the right teeth of thalassaemics and parents and between the right teeth of thalassaemics and siblings. Right-left asymmetry was also compared for thalassaemics, parents and sibling groups. The main differences found were: (1) More fissures, pits, tubercles and other elevations and prominences in the thalassaemics. (2) Significantly smaller teeth (p < 0.01) for thalassaemics (males) as compared with their siblings in the maxillary B-L dimension and the mandibular M-D dimension and in the females in the mandibular BL dimension (p < 0.03) but significantly larger teeth (p < 0.01) for thalassaemic females in the maxillary M-D dimension as compared with their sisters, but not in comparison with tooth size in their mothers. (3) Second molars in both sexes were greatly reduced in size. (4) Teeth of males were affected more than females. This was reflected in both tooth size and morphology.