Carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) is considered to greatly participate in the buffering of saliva, ion transport, the regulation of pH, secretory processes, and saliva production. Various studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between CA VI and dental caries. The goal of this study was to make a meta-analysis of studies that examined the effects of the CA VI gene polymorphisms on dental caries. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guide was followed. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were scanned by 2 independent researchers. The funnel plot, Egger's regression and Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation test were used to determine publication bias. Cohen's d was used to measure the effect size. Four studies were included in the meta-analysis; a total of 3 polymorphisms (rs2274327, rs2274328, rs2274333) and a total of 13 polymorphism models were analyzed. According to Egger's regression and the Begg and Mazumdar's test, the meta-analysis had no significant publication bias (p > 0.05). The highest susceptibility effect was noticed in the rs2274328 (AA vs CC) model (d = 0.18; 95% CI (confidence interval): -1.77, 2.13), but this effect was not significant (p = 0.237), and the highest protective effect was observed in the rs2274328 (AA vs AC) model (d = -0.13, 95% CI: -1.36, 1.11), but this effect was not significant, either (p = 0.195). No association was found between any of the polymorphism models and dental caries (p > 0.05). Even though CA VI plays an important role in the buffering of saliva, it was shown that polymorphisms in the CA VI gene did not affect the process of dental caries.

Objectives: Studies report that gene polymorphisms associated with mineralization may change the structure of enamel and create a predisposition for developing dental caries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the VDR and TFIP11 gene variants in adults with caries experience and to investigate their interactions with the environmental factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 individuals at the age of 24-40 years were included in the study and they were assigned to two groups according to decayed-missing-filled teeth index (DMFT); namely the low caries experience (LCE, DMFT≤4) and high caries experience (HCE, DMFT> 9.13). DNA was isolated from buccal swab samples to genotype the VDR (TaqI; rs731236) and TFIP11 (rs5997096) gene variants. The real-time PCR was used for genotyping. The frequency of tooth brushing, carbohydrate intake, smoking, and the dental plaques were evaluated as environmental risk factors. Results: Between the caries groups and the distribution of the genotypes and alleles of the VDR rs731236 and TFIP11 rs5997096 gene variants were not statistically different. There was also no significant difference when homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, and recessive models were evaluated for the two variants. The frequency of tooth brushing was significantly higher in the LCE group. According to the regression analysis; the amount of plaque explained the high caries experience at a rate of 51.4%. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that common variants in the VDR and TFIP11 genes were not associated with high caries experiences in Turkish adults.