A review on the role of genetics in craniofacial anomalies and malocclusion: Can a minor switch completely affect your aesthetics?

Abstract

Embryonic development is mediated through an interactive network created by neural crest cells and overlapping expression patterns of a number of factors including homeobox genes superfamily. Many human syndromes, genetic abnormalities and malocclusion have now been attributed to defects in individual genes, which lose its transcriptional and translational ability etc. and thus its control over neural crest cell migration. In clinical orthodontics, it has been appreciated that each malocclusion occupies its own distinctive slot in the genetics-environmental spectrum. Current developments made in the molecular genetics as well as animal models for human malformations have provided us with many insights into abnormal craniofacial development. These will definitely help in prenatal diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for the most dreaded syndromes seen today and as the clinicians dealing with craniofacial issues, we should always try to keep abreast with these current developments.