Craniofacial and dental features of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome patients with PITX2 mutations.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize the genetic basis and craniofacial and dental features of Finnish patients with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS).

METHODS: Mutational analyses of seven patients in five families were performed by sequencing or comparative genomic hybridization. Phenotypic analysis was based both on clinical and radiographic examinations, as well as on medical data. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of five patients were analysed using Viewbox 3.1-Cephalometric Software. The cephalometric values were compared to Finnish population-standard values of the same age and gender.

RESULTS: Two frameshift mutations and three whole gene deletions were detected in five families. Class III skeletal relationship with retrognathic maxilla and mildly retrognathic mandible were detected in all five patients studied. Significant differences compared with the control values were in SNA (p= 0.0014), ANB (p= 0.0043) and SNB angles (p= 0.013). Five patients had anterior crossbite. Six patients showed tooth agenesis. The average number of missing teeth (third molars excluded) was 9 (range 0 - 15). The tooth agenesis rate was 52% in maxilla and 26% in mandible. Maxillary central and lateral permanent incisors were most often missing (rate 71% equally) while no one lacked canines or first molars in mandible. Two patients had a supernumerary mandibular permanent incisor. Six patients had either taurodontic and/or single-rooted molars CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that class III skeletal relationship with maxillary and mandibular retrognathism, anterior crossbite, maxillary incisor agenesis and taurodontic, even pyramidal, roots are common determinants of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome caused by PITX2 mutations.