Twin zygosity testing? How to determine what kind of twin you are?

Getting asked about the type of zygosity is a daily routine for twins. And not knowing the type sometimes gets awkward. But twin zygosity testing can help you figure out what kind of twins you are.

The two types of zygosity are:

Dizygotic or fraternal twins: This occurs when the mother releases two eggs at once and two different sperm fertilize it. In such cases, the fertilized egg implants itself independently in the uterus. Fraternal twins are usually like normal siblings since they also share 50% of their DNA, unlike identical twins.

Some other features of dizygotic twins include:

The twins do not share the placenta in the uterus.

There are almost 50-50 chances of the twins having the same sex.

Monozygotic or identical twins: these twins form the same fertilized egg. This happens when the embryo splits into two during development which gives rise to two identical twins.

Some other features of monozygotic twins include:

Almost 1/3% of the MZ have a separate placenta. And, 2/3% of the time twins share the same placenta.

These twins are almost 100% identical and have the same sex.

How do determine the zygosity type?

Although most of the time the twins of the opposite sex are fraternal it is difficult to tell when the twins have the same sex.

That’s why doctors use twin zygosity testing to determine the type of zygosity of the twins.

Scientists use your DNA and compare the genetic markers present on you and your twin’s DNA to determine the zygosity.

If the twins share most of the genetic markers it means they are identical twins. But if the twins only share some of the genetic markers they are fraternal twins.

The twin zygosity test has the same procedure as any other non invasive DNA paternity test like the paternity DNA test.

At Face DNA test you can find twin zygosity test and other relationship DNA tests like mtDNA testing or avuncular DNA testing. We provide the most affordable twin DNA testing cost in the market and are a go-to DNA testing company for many.

Do Identical Twins Have The Same Dental Records?

When it comes to identical twins, the topic becomes a little complicated. Identical twins are siblings born from the same egg and sperm fertilized. The fertilized egg later on splits to give two identical twin eggs that have the same DNA, structure, characteristics etc. When the twins are born, they look exactly the same and it is difficult to tell them apart. Hence, identical twins are difficult to distinguish with just the naked eye. DNA testing can help in differentiating them on a cellular level since not all of their genetic makeup is exactly similar. 

While looking at dental records, identical twins do not have the exact same dental profile or arrangement of teeth, even if their tooth morphology is similar. Different other factors, apart from genetics can lead to the difference in dental records, eg. Environment, diet, caries risk, etc. This proves that identical twins are infact not entirely similar. This difference in dental records can help in cases of forensic DNA testing, where dental records might prove beneficial for remains of a twin. 

The Use Of a Twin Zygosity Test:

A twin zygosity test is mainly taken to figure out the percentage of similarity of the DNA structure of both supposed twins. At times, the said twins might not be identical and just fraternal, this test will be able to guide you through the process of figuring that out. On the basis of similarity percentage, the answers to your questions can be discover. 

A twin zygosity test can also be taken at home using an identical twin test kit. These test kits are available readily at any drug store and can be conveniently taken at home. The samples are then sent to an accredited lab that analyzes the DNA and compares them to get the final results. The results for this test are highly accurate and precise. 

Looking for Lost Twin:

In scenarios where the identical twin sibling might be lost or separated long ago during adoption procedures, an identical twin DNA test may help reunite both the siblings. The test can be taken by one of the siblings and the DNA can be compared to a vast range of databases to help look for the most identical looking DNA structure. However, this test will only be reliable and successful if the other twin has ever done a DNA test themselves. Otherwise, the test will not yield accurate results.  

Summary:

To summarize, it is not important that identical twins will have the same dental records. There may be differences in their teeth arrangement and morphology. The identical twin DNA testing is quite accurate and helps in determining the percentage of similarity of identical twins. Testing laboratories like Face DNA Test offers the best twin zygosity test with accurate and precise results. Their lab is equipped with the latest technology machinery along with a staff that is skilled and knowledgeable in the work they do, ensuring clients have the best experience possible.