Runx2 gene single nucleotide polymorphism in Class II and Class III malocclusions

To assess the prevalence of RUNX2 gene polymorphism in skeletal class II and class III malocclusions. : Unstimulated salivary samples of 36 patients (18- 30 years of age group), comprising 18 with skeletal class II and 18 with skeletal class III were collected from a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore. Salivary DNA samples were collected and analyzed using Sanger sequencing. Digital tracing was performed on lateral cephalometric radiographs by using AutoCAD software for digitization to assess the anterio-posterior and vertical relationship of the maxillary and mandibular arch. When polymorphism of 36 samples comprised of 18 Class II and 18 Class III were assessed, 83.3% Class III malocclusion and 5.6% Class II showed RUNX2 gene polymorphism in the population. Chi Square test which indicated that the results are statistically significant in Class III malocclusion for RUNX2 single nucleotide polymorphism (p<0.001). RUNX2 gene polymorphism was statistically significant in skeletal Class III malocclusion when compared to skeletal Class II malocclusion. This is a preliminary study done on a smaller sample, we need a larger sample size to confirm our findings.