ABSTRACT

Studies of twins carried out over the past 25 years by the Craniofacial Biology Research Group at the University of Adelaide have provided insights into the roles of genetic, environmental and epigenetic influences on human dento-facial growth and development. The aim of this paper is to review some of the main findings of these studies and to highlight the value of using different twin models, including the monozygotic (MZ) co-twin design. We also introduce the concept of ‘dental phenomics’ whereby modern 2D and 3D imaging systems are now enabling biologically-meaningful, dental phenotypes to be quantified in order to provide detailed descriptions of the size and shape of teeth. We propose that developments in the field of ‘dental phenomics’, with linking of the data generated to large-scale genome sequencing approaches, should enable us to further unravel the mysteries of how genetic, environmental and epigenetic factors interact to produce the extensive range of morphological variations evident within the human dentition and face.

INTRODUCTION

The Craniofacial Biology Research Group at the University of Adelaide has been involved in studies of the teeth and faces of twins for over 25 years (Townsend et al., 2006). Our main aim is to clarify the roles of genetic, environmental and epigenetic influences on human dento-facial growth and development. Three cohorts of twins have been recruited to enable different objectives and specific hypotheses to be addressed.