ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the genetic influence of mandibular prognathism epidemiologically in Korean families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 5-year period from 2005 to 2009, a questionnaire with a pedigree chart was given to 100 (male 51, female 49) probands with skeletal Class III mandibular prognathism, who had undergone orthognathic surgery in Samsung Medical Center. RESULTS: The average age of the probands was 22.1. The average SNA, SNB and ANB angles of the probands were 81.2degrees, 84.1degreesand -2.9degrees, respectively. A total of 2729 (male 1,354, female 1,375) family members were examined, and the affected ratio of the families was 3.5% with no significant difference between genders. 45% of families had at least one member with a Class III malocclusion other than the proband. The affected ratio of the first-degree relatives (10.9%) was significantly higher than those of the second-degree (3.3%) and third-degree (1.9%) relatives. The affected ratio of the total relatives from the male probands (4.2%) was significantly higher than that of the female probands (2.8%). Heritability (h2, Falconer'method) was estimated to be 29.8% (0.298+/-0.059) in first-degree relatives. CONCLUSION: These results showed the significant influence of mandibular prognathism with relatively low heritability in first-degree relatives in Korean families of probands, who had undergone orthognathic surgery to correct a skeletal Class III malocclusion.