Relationship Between Estrogen-Receptor Genotype and Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Women

Tooth loss is known to be influenced by environmental factors, but the role of genetic factors remains unknown. It is likely that the estrogen-receptor (ER) gene could be associated with tooth loss in women because recent studies in the United State reported the protective effect of estrogen replacement therapy on tooth retention in the elderly. We first demonstrated relationship between ER genotype and tooth loss in post-menopausal women. However, further investigation is necessary to clarify unknown pathways in which ER genotype contributes to tooth loss in women.