Factor Affecting Dna Content Essay

Factors affecting DNA content

There is not only a difference in DNA content of teeth between individuals, but also between teeth of the same individual.

DNA content may depend on the tooth type, chronological age of the donor, and health status of the tooth. Each of these factors influences the relative proportions of DNA present in the the pulp, dentine and cementum.

Tooth type

The human dentition consist of four types of teeth, viz. molars, premolars, canines and incisors, which differ morphologically, i.e. in form and size but they do have a similar histological structure. Several studies comparing DNA content among different tooth types have shown that teeth with the largest pulp volume provide the richest source of DNA [60,61] due to the presence of more pulp cells. DNA retrieved from multi rooted tooth is more when compared to that of single rooted tooth [60], mostly due to the larger pulp volume in multi-rooted teeth and the increase in root surface area providing more cementum. Multi-rooted teeth also exhibits more cellular cementum per root surface area than single rooted teeth, which, sometimes have little or no cellular cementum. Therefore tooth selection

Dental caries, which is a microbial disease, results in localised dissolution and destruction of the calcified structures of teeth which facilitates entry of bacteria to the pulp, directly and via empty dentinal tubules resulting in cell death [42]. In response to caries, the pulp retracts and tertiary dentine is formed [69]. Tertiary dentine exhibits a less organised structure compared to primary and secondary dentine and as deposition occurs rapidly the odontoblasts can get encapsulated within the mineralised tissue [69]. Ultimately caries can lead to a complete loss of pulp or tooth loss. Cellular cementum can also be affected by caries if it is exposed to the oral cavity, which may occur in advanced periodontal