Exploring Genetic Link of Residual Ridge Resorption in Completely Edentulous Individuals: A Prospective Case-Control Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND

Residual ridge resorption presents obstacles in prosthodontic treatment, affecting denture stability and the success of dental implants. Genetic elements, specifically the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 1772C>T variant within the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) gene, are hypothesized to contribute to residual ridge resorption progression. Nevertheless, its impact remains insufficiently investigated, especially within the context of South Indian populations. We sought to investigate the connection between SNP 1772C>T and residual ridge resorption (RRR) among fully edentulous individuals, considering demographic factors, genotyping methodologies, and statistical evaluations.

METHODS

In a prospective case-control study, we recruited 100 completely edentulous participants from South India. Participants were categorized based on alveolar ridge height. Saliva samples were non-invasively collected for DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was employed to determine genotype distribution using the HphI restriction enzyme. The statistical evaluations comprised the utilization of chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

We observed no significant variations in genotype distributions between the case and control cohorts (CT: p=0.24; CC: p=0.65; TT: p=0.30). The heterozygous genotype CT was prevalent in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we did not observe significant associations between SNP 1772C>T and RRR, our findings imply a genetic predisposition to residual ridge resorption that warrants further exploration. Variations in genetic susceptibility across ethnicities and the influence of other genetic variants on residual ridge resorption require additional investigation. This study lays the groundwork for personalized prosthodontic care by highlighting the potential of genetic analysis in routine dental practice to improve treatment strategies.