Chromosomal Abnormalities and Oral Anomalies

¹ Division of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Interest in the study of clinical conditions associated with chromosome anomalies has mushroomed within the past few years. Many of these have oral components. This is to be expected. If, indeed, each chromosome has a possible 50,000 genes and, further, if each gene is responsible for one enzyme reaction, the addition or deletion of a chromosome or a partial chromosome from the complement should have a profound effect on the offspring.

Presented were a group of about a dozen of these syndromes. In all probability, this represented only a fraction of those yet to be uncovered. For example, at the present time there appears to be good evidence of a partial trisomy in the syndrome of multiple nevoid basal-cell carcinoma, jaw cysts, and bifid rib.

Many of these syndromes were only partially studied for oral changes. Syndromes such as those of Turner and Klinefelter are not so rare that such studies should be deferred. This is indeed a fertile field for investigation. Good hunting!