Vitamin D receptor FokI and BglI genetic polymorphisms, dental caries, and gingivitis

Background & aim: To investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms FokI (rs2228570) and BglI (rs739837) in vitamin D receptor (VDR) with dental caries and gingivitis susceptibility.

Design: This study included 353 Brazilian children (8 to 11 years old). Dental caries was assessed using ICDAS (International System for Detection and Assessment of Carious Lesions) and gingival bleeding using Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The presence of visible biofilm was also evaluated. DNA was extracted from saliva, and real-time PCR was used to evaluate genetic polymorphisms in VDR: rs2228570 (FokI, A>G/Met>Thr) and rs739837 (BglI, G>T). Dental caries was evaluated as a continuous data (mean and standard deviation-SD) and was also categorized (ICDAS₀ versus ICDAS_1-6 or ICDAS_1-2 versus ICDAS_3-6). Gingivitis was categorized in with and without. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons of caries among genotypes. Chi-square test, logistic regression, and haplotype analysis were performed (P < .05).

Results: Biofilm was associated with dental caries susceptibility and gingivitis (P < .05). The mean distribution of the caries lesions and cavitated caries lesions among FokI and BgII genotypes were not statistically significant (P > .05). Genotype distributions among caries groups (in the two different cut-offs) and among gingivitis and non-gingivitis groups were not statistically significant (P > .05).

Conclusion: The polymorphisms FokI and BglI in VDR were not associated with dental caries or gingivitis.