Original Research

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 2 | Page : 100-113

Association Between Fingerprints and Facial Profile in Subjects with or without Crowding: A Cross-Sectional Study

Jayapradha P- 1, Pamila Rachel- 2, Vignesh Kailasam- 3

1-Resident, 2-Senior Lecturer, 3-Professor and Head of Department, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600-116.

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Pamila Rachel, MDS

Senior Lecturer,

Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics,

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research,

Sri Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai 600-116.

Email ID: pamilarachel@sriramachandra.edu.in

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics, apart from being used for personal identification of an individual, are widely studied in various other fields. Fingerprint patterns remain constant throughout the life and are unique for each individual. The present study aimed to determine whether there is an association between dermatoglyphic patterns and facial profiles in subjects with or without mandibular anterior crowding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and all the procedures were conducted in accordance with the approved ethical guidelines. A total of 369 subjects (123 in each straight, convex and concave profile) were selected from those who met the inclusion criteria. Severity of mandibular anterior crowding was assessed using the visual estimation method. Fingerprints from all ten digits were obtained using a smudge-free ink pad and the fingerprint pattern for each finger was examined using a magnifying lens. Data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and subsequently analyzed using appropriate statistical software.

RESULTS: Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of loop fingerprint patterns on the left and right thumbs with facial profile and mandibular anterior crowding severity. Facial profiles were modelled using "concave" as the reference category, while dental crowding was modelled with "no crowding" as the baseline group. The results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and corresponding p-values were reported. Across all fingers, loop patterns were the most frequently observed, followed by whorl patterns, while arch patterns were the least frequent. There was no significant statistical association among fingerprint patterns, facial profile and crowding since the fingers demonstrated high p values (> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Dermatoglyphics cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic tool for predicting facial profile or dental crowding. Larger genetically controlled studies are warranted to further explore potential associations among dermatoglyphics, facial morphology and dental arch discrepancies.
KEYWORDS: Dermatoglyphics, Facial profile, Mandibular anterior crowding, Magnifying lens.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FUNDING

Nil

How to cite this article: Jayapradha P, Pamila Rachel, Vignesh Kailasam. Association Between Fingerprints and Facial Profile in Subjects with or without Crowding: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (2): 100-113

Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.172.ijor0100