TESTING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ORTHODONTHIC CLASSES I, II, III AND SNPs (rs731236, rs8004560, rs731236) IN A ROMANIAN CLINICAL SAMPLE

Summary Genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene ( VDR ) were related to bone mineral density, bone turnover, and diseases with b one loss, as in periodontitis. RUNX 2 regulates transcription of numerous genes and there by control osteoblast development from mesenchymal stem cells and maturation into osteocytes. During osteoblast development and maturation, RUNX 2 cooperates also with other transcription factors and cofactors. Mutations in this gene have been associated with cl eidocranial dysplasia, a bone development disorder. Mutations in the PAX 9 gene were frequently associated with oligodontia or hypodontia, as well as with Class II /Division 2 malocclusions (with or without hypodontia). The aim of the present paper w as to identify genes which we presume to be involved in the development of the craniofaci al complex. We selected three markers: VDR (vitamin D receptor - rs731236), PAX 9 (rs8004560) and RUNX 2 (rs731236) in order to reveal their association with Class I, II and II I dental malocclusions. The sample comprises 47 patients with different malocclusions. The control group included 11 individuals. We performed also cephalometric measurements in sagittal plane, measuring