Study of Dental Occlusion in Ancient Human Remains: A Methodological Approach (original) (raw)
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HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2017
Occlusal characteristics, fundamental to assess the presence of malocclusion, have been often unexplored in bioarchaeological analyses. This is largely due to the fragmented condition of the skeletal remains. By applying a method that considers dental and maxillary features useful to evaluate occlusion in ancient fragmentary material, the purpose of this work is to define the occlusal features and explore the causes of malocclusion in a medieval population from Mallorca. The findings of this study suggest that normocclusion was present in ca. 60% of the individuals (N=31), and that some characteristics, such as molar relationship, were slightly different from those of modern populations. The analysis of the occlusal features revealed for example that open-bite was absent in 85% of the sample, posterior open-bite was completely absent and overbite and overjet were normal in around 90% of the individuals. Statistically significant correlations between canine and molar relationships and between molar relationship and dental wear of the superior and inferior canines and incisors were observed. In addition, wear could affect the curve of Spee. All these findings strengthen the hypothesis that in ancient times malocclusion was not as generalized as in modern times. Although the factors that lead to malocclusion throughout centuries could have several causes, we suggest that in this population dental wear, which is strongly associated with the diet, was the fundamental causing factor.
Dental Anthropology and Forensics: Answers to Questions Related to our Past – Review of the Literature, 2024
Dental science is directly correlated to anthropology, which is attributed to teeth's significant advantages and properties. Meanwhile, justice is better and easier served due to the contribution of forensic odontology. The aim of the present literature review is to present the decisive contribution of dental science to the investigation of human species' evolution, as well as to the demystification of criminal cases. A thorough research has been conducted in scientific databases and scientific textbooks related to our review. It is obvious that the assessment of gradual modifications in human dentition as time passes by is indicative of human species' evolution. Nowadays, it is feasible to determine an excavated skeleton's identity and, as far as the ancient civilizations are concerned, to investigate their intercultural relationships, their dietary customs and their oral health's status. With regard to forensics, the structure of cranial bones is of great assistance in demystificating legal cases. Forensic odontology provides forensic medical examiners with the opportunity to faster identify deceased people and more effectively examine abused victims. Certainly, radiographic techniques, such as periapical radiographs as well as modern radiographic methodologies (CT, CBCT, MRI), offer additional diagnostic information in forensics. So, methodologies introduced by dental science have become a remarkable assist in anthropological researches, as well as in forensics. Nevertheless, there can be noticed a limited application of forensic odontology's principles in Greece. This fact may be attributed to the technological capabilities of our country's forensic laboratories rather than the Greek experts' level of expertise.
Analytical Methods of Dental Anthropology Forensic Odontology –An Overview
GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS, 2021
Dental Anthropology is a scientic discipline, which deals with studies of sexual dimorphism, paleodemography, oral evolutionary trends, paleodiet, biodistance and paleopathology through the analysis & comparison of the dentition of extinct and modern human populations by the study of Non-metric morphological variations (dental morphological features) and metric morphological trends of the dentition of human populations over time (prehistoric and modern) and space impact (ie.ethnic inuences) on them along-with their relation to the processes of adaptation and diet changes that contributed to the evolution of the current dental system and thereby the human race.(1,3,5) Teeth exhibit a wide array of variables, ranging from those largely controlled by genes to those largely dictated by environment. Anthropological questions focusing on teeth therefore, include issues of population origins and population relationships using information on (tooth morphology, size, number), diet and beha...
DENTAL HEALTH IN THE PAST: RESEARCH AND PERSPECTIVES FROM PALEOPATHOLOGY
87th SIBS National Congress on Peoples, Environment, Health, 2014
This paper reviews the current status of dental research in paleopathology. Diseases and injuries of teeth and jaws are important topics in the study of ancient human population because they provide a wealth of information on past lifestyle, diet, illness and so are valuable indicators of environmental changes. Teeth, generally, survive well to chemical and microbial degradation in archaeological soils and they are routinely used in anthropological and paleopathological research.
Outlining a Definition of Oral Health within the Study of Human Skeletal Remains
Dental Anthropology, 2019
The term oral health is regularly used in bioarchaeological research to discuss a myriad of pathological conditions of the oral cavity. However, there is very little consensus on what conditions should be included in such a study, and some of the conditions are at odds with those in the clinical literature. In this manuscript, we outline the clinical definition of oral health and develop a strategy in which bioarchaeology can address this type of research. We argue that the terms dental disease and/or pathological conditions of the oral cavity should be used in lieu of oral health. Various conditions that can be included in such research are outlined. Finally, definitions, clinical etiologies, and recording schema for these conditions are discussed as relevant to bioarchaeological studies.
This paper concerns the paleopathological dental analysis of the skeletal series coming from two necropolises found on the territory of Săbăoani village (Neamţ County, Romania). The first necropolis is chronologically ranked in the 4 th century A.D., Sântana de Mureş culture. The anthropological analysis in this case was made on 57 skeletons only from inhumation graves (16 men, 19 women and 22 of indeterminate gender). The second necropolis is chronologically included in the late medieval period, the period between the middle of the 14 th century and the 17 th century. The anthropological analysis in this second case was made on 937 skeletons (405 men, 290 women and 242 of indeterminate gender). Dental wear appears as a physiological result (attrition), produced during the functioning of the mastication process. Among the dental pathologies, we have identified in the two necropolises the following: the dental caries (decay), intra vitam tooth loss, paradontosis, partial or total ede...
This paper concerns the paleopathological dental analysis of the skeletal series coming from two necropolises found on the territory of Săbăoani village (Neamţ County, Romania). The first necropolis is chronologically ranked in the 4th century A.D., Sântana de Mureş culture. The anthropological analysis in this case was made on 57 skeletons only from inhumation graves (16 men, 19 women and 22 of indeterminate gender). The second necropolis is chronologically included in the late medieval period, the period between the middle of the 14th century and the 17th century. The anthropological analysis in this second case was made on 937 skeletons (405 men, 290 women and 242 of indeterminate gender). Dental wear appears as a physiological result (attrition), produced during the functioning of the mastication process. Among the dental pathologies, we have identified in the two necropolises the following: the dental caries (decay), intra vitam tooth loss, paradontosis, partial or total edentation, apical granuloma and dental calculus. The presence of dental pathologies is in between low and moderate for the skeleton series coming from the necropolis in the 4th century and from moderate to increase for the late medieval necropolis. The highest values are recorded by intra vitam tooth loss and by dental caries. Paradontosis is present only in the medieval series. The apical granuloma exhibits lower frequencies in both necropolises. The dental calculus (supragingival) records lower values compared with caries. It is deposited on the mastication as well as the frontal teeth area. All this observations suggest a preference for cariogenic nutrients (rich in carbohydrates) to the disadvantage of animal nutrients (diary products, meat), and the possible nutrient deficiencies.