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Introduction <p>Dental caries is a widespread chronic disease and a major public health challenge worldwide. Beyond well-known environmental and behavioral determinants, there is a substantial genetic component to dental caries susceptibility. Several twin and family studies have indicated that dental caries risk is partially heritable, spurring efforts to identify specific genetic variants involved. So, this study conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between <i>LTF</i>, <i>ENAM</i>, and <i>AMELX</i> gene variants and the risk of developing dental caries.</p> Methods <p>A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify observational studies published prior to 10 May 2025, utilizing predefined keywords. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through fixed/random-effects models. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed based on the various genetic models and between-study heterogeneity were evaluated using the I² statistic. All statistical analyses were executed using the MetaGenyo website.</p> Results <p>A database search recognized 1567 records related to genetic variations and dental caries. After screening and excluding ineligible records, 30 eligible studies were included in the systematic review, and finally, 12 were included in the meta-analyses. Meta-analysis findings showed that none of the four evaluated SNPs were statistically significantly associated with dental caries in any genetic model. Notably, <i>rs3796703</i> (<i>ENAM</i>) exhibited a suggestive, though non-significant, protective effect under the recessive model (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57–1.04, <i>p</i> = 0.092). Considerable heterogeneity was indicated in models involving rs12640848.</p> Conclusion <p>Despite the biological significance of evaluated variants in enamel formation and immune defense, current evidence suggests that polymorphisms in the <i>LTF</i>, <i>ENAM</i>, and <i>AMELX</i> genes do not show consistent associations with susceptibility to dental caries. Therefore, it is essential to conduct further large-scale studies that are ethnically diverse and that incorporate interactions between genetic and environmental factors.</p>

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The Role of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX Gene Polymorphisms in Dental Caries Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

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  • Donya Shojaei,
  • Hamideh Sadat Mohammadipour,
  • Salehe Sekandari,
  • Mohsen Dehghani,
  • Farnaz Mohajertehran

摘要

Introduction

Dental caries is a widespread chronic disease and a major public health challenge worldwide. Beyond well-known environmental and behavioral determinants, there is a substantial genetic component to dental caries susceptibility. Several twin and family studies have indicated that dental caries risk is partially heritable, spurring efforts to identify specific genetic variants involved. So, this study conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between LTF, ENAM, and AMELX gene variants and the risk of developing dental caries.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify observational studies published prior to 10 May 2025, utilizing predefined keywords. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through fixed/random-effects models. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed based on the various genetic models and between-study heterogeneity were evaluated using the I² statistic. All statistical analyses were executed using the MetaGenyo website.

Results

A database search recognized 1567 records related to genetic variations and dental caries. After screening and excluding ineligible records, 30 eligible studies were included in the systematic review, and finally, 12 were included in the meta-analyses. Meta-analysis findings showed that none of the four evaluated SNPs were statistically significantly associated with dental caries in any genetic model. Notably, rs3796703 (ENAM) exhibited a suggestive, though non-significant, protective effect under the recessive model (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57–1.04, p = 0.092). Considerable heterogeneity was indicated in models involving rs12640848.

Conclusion

Despite the biological significance of evaluated variants in enamel formation and immune defense, current evidence suggests that polymorphisms in the LTF, ENAM, and AMELX genes do not show consistent associations with susceptibility to dental caries. Therefore, it is essential to conduct further large-scale studies that are ethnically diverse and that incorporate interactions between genetic and environmental factors.