Introduction: Genetic polymorphisms have been reported to act as modifiers of diverse diseases and, as such, might theoretically influence the severity and response to treatment of apical periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of Fcgamma receptor and interleukin (IL)-1 gene polymorphisms with post-treatment apical periodontitis in Brazilian individuals.
Methods: The study population consisted of 18 patients with post-treatment apical periodontitis and 44 individuals with root canal-treated teeth exhibiting healthy/healing periradicular tissues (controls). Patients were typed for the following genes (alleles): FcgammaRIIA (R131 or H131), FcgammaRIIIB (NA1 or NA2), IL-1A (1 or 2), and IL-1B (1 or 2).
Results: No significant statistical differences were observed for all specific genotypes and almost all allele carriage rates of the test genes as well as combinations thereof with regard to association with disease (P > .05). Actually, only 2 genetic conditions were found to be associated with post-treatment apical periodontitis: carriage of allele H131 of the FcgammaRIIa gene (P = .04) and a combination of this allele with allele NA2 of the FcgammaRIIIb gene (P < .01).
Conclusions: Data from the present study suggest that some conditions associated with polymorphism of Fcgamma receptor genes might influence the patient's response to endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis.