TOOTH ROOT ABNORMALITIES IN TWINS

The occurrence of fused roots, pyramidal tooth form and taurodontism i n the first and second permanent molars was studied on orthopantomogra ms taken in 96 twin pairs (38 monozygotic and 58 dizygotic.) The aim o f the study was to analyze the prevalence of the mentioned abnormaliti es as related to the twin pair zygosity. Fused roots were found in 19 pairs, pyramidal forms in 4 pairs, and taurodontism in 2 pairs of twin s. Concordance recorded in all monozygotic twin pairs for all traits s tudied, simultaneous occurrence of more than one abnormality in the sa me individuals, and bilateralism of their occurrence, point to a high genetic determination of the traits studied.