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Systematic study of dental attributes yields insights regarding diet and subsistence that cannot be gained from the archaeological record alone. This analysis documents occlusal tooth wear, tooth crown dimensions and dental pathology of an expanded dental sample from Harappa (2550–2030 cal BC; Pakistan). New floral and faunal evidence of subsistence indicates a mix of agriculture and pastoralism that can be integrated with evidence of dental attributes and disease to reveal the impact of Harappan diet on oral health. An enlarged dental sample (58 specimens, 910 teeth) from mature phase Harappa was analyzed using Scott’s quadrant wear system, measures of crown size, and prevalence of seven pathological dental lesions. All data were collected by the author using standard methods. Sex differences were found in wear, tooth size and prevalence of dental diseases. Females exhibit greater caries prevalence and antemortem tooth loss than men, an attribute associated with higher rates of pulp exposure and abscesses in women. At Harappa antemortem tooth loss results from penetrating caries, while in foragers the cause is severe occlusal wear. In contrast to early Holocene foragers of north India (Damdama, 8800–8600 BP), Harappans have greater occlusal wear, smaller teeth, and a distinct dental pathology profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Anthropological studies have reported that tooth size decreases in the context of diet changes. Some investigations have found a reverse trend in tooth size from the prehistoric to the modern times. The aims of this study were to analyze tooth size in skeletal samples from Mesolithic–Neolithic Age, Bronze Age, and Roman to Medieval times to determine sex differences and establish a temporal trend in tooth size in the aforementioned periods. Design Well-preserved permanent teeth were included in the investigation. The mesiodistal (MD) diameter of all teeth and buccolingual (BL) diameter of the molars were measured. Effects of sex and site were tested by one-way ANOVA, and the combined effect of these factors was analyzed by UNIANOVA. Results Sexual dimorphism was present in the BL diameters of all molars and MD diameters of the upper first and the lower third molar. The lower canine was the most dimorphic tooth in the anterior region. The MD diameter of most teeth showed no significant difference between the groups, (sample from: Mesolithic–Neolithic Age-group 1; Bronze Age-group 2; Roman times-group 3; Medieval times-group 4), whereas the BL diameters of the upper second and the lower first molar were the largest in the first group. Multiple comparisons revealed a decrease in the BL diameter of the upper second and the lower first molar from the first to the later groups. Lower canine MD diameter exhibited an increase in the fourth group compared to the second group. Conclusion On the basis of the MD diameter, a temporal trend could not be observed for most of the teeth. The lower canine exhibited an increase in the MD diameter from the prehistoric to the Medieval times. Changes of BL diameter were more homogeneous, suggesting that the temporal trend of molar size decreased from the Mesolithic–Neolithic to Medieval times in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex dimorphism is an important part in the identification process. The teeth are an excellent material for anthropological analysis and it can be considerate a valuable tool for sex determination. This study aims to analyze sexual dimorphism through the dental measures in Brazilian adults using three different statistical methods. The sample consists of maxillary and mandibular plaster models of 200 Caucasoid Brazilian individuals (100 male and 100 female), aged between 20 and 30 years. The mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) diameters were measured of all teeth, excluding third molars. These measurements were performed directly on the plaster models. For statistical analysis we used the software STATA 12.0. Three techniques were performed to check the sexual dimorphism Logistic Regression, Linear Discriminant Function and Function Discriminant KNN. The significance level for all tests was 5%. The study population was composed of 200 research participants. Of this total, 100 were male and 100 were female. The average age was 24.33 years and the average height of 1.69 m. According to the results presented in this study we can conclude that it is possible to check the sexual dimorphism in Brazilian adults through dental measures. No differences were verified between homologous teeth. Dental elements of the male participants had higher averages than those of female participants. The best indicators for evaluating sexual dimorphism were measures of the canines and molars. Multivariate techniques were more accurate and KNN discriminant analysis showed the best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Morphological data of teeth have played an important role in the field of dental anthropology. For example, tooth form is useful in elucidating the evolutionary changes from fossil hominids to modern humans, reconstructing life history from archeological human remains, and analyzing the population history of recent human groups. Highlight Linear measurements of the maximum diameter of the tooth crown are useful in understanding the overall features of a tooth. The crown structure is analyzed in greater detail by performing two and three-dimensional measurements on standard and moiré photographs, respectively. Computed tomography is used for the analysis of the internal tooth structure, and geometric morphometrics is a new method used for quantifying tooth shape. Certain tooth characteristics, for example, Carabelli׳s trait, are scored based on standardized plaques, and the data are analyzed as non-metric variants. Tooth structure has been expressed using various means, and the development of a new method for the same is advocated for future dental morphological studies. Conclusion Over the past few decades, the morphological data of teeth have been analyzed on the basis of tooth morphology itself as well as from an anthropological perspective. Morphologists should intensify their exchange with molecular biologists and evaluate tooth morphogenesis as well as the genetic basis of tooth structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study documents deciduous tooth crown dimensions and sex dimorphism in modern Malay children of Indonesia. Comparisons are made with living and prehistoric East and South Asians to better understand tooth size variation in space and through time. Measurements of the dental crown were made with a Mitutoyo digimatic caliper, interfaced with a Dell laptop, running Microsoft Excel (2003). Buccolingual (BL) measurements of maximum crown breadth of modern Malay were made by the first author. All prehistoric South Asian comparative samples were measured by the first author, data for living East and South Asians were taken from published data. All statistical analyses were conducted using SAS, Inc. (9.1 for Windows). Crown dimensions, sex dimorphism and crown areas are presented and reveal consistencies in tooth size and level of sexual dimorphism with East and South Asian living samples. Sex dimorphism in Malay crown dimensions is low (1.1%) among Asians. Total crown area is 484.7 mm2, similar to living Japanese (486.3 mm2), but greater than Hindus (476.4 mm2) of India. Compared with prehistoric groups the Malay have reduced tooth size, especially when compared with Neolithic (MR 3, 535.3 mm2) and Chalcolithic (MR 2, 515.3 mm2) Mehrgarh, Pakistan. Sex dimorphism in Malay deciduous crown dimensions is lower than average among Asians and total tooth crown area is similar to living East and South Asians but is reduced when compared with prehistoric Asian samples. • Deciduous tooth crown size of a Javanese Malay sample from Indonesia is reported. • Mean crown size and sex dimorphism are compared with prehistoric and modern Asians. • Tooth size of Javanese is similar to living but smaller than prehistoric Asians. • Reduction in deciduous tooth size over time parallels that of permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of selected dental variations in association with infraocclusion, as well as determining the effects of infraocclusion on dental development and tooth size, in singletons and twins. Design Two samples were analysed. The first sample comprised 1454 panoramic radiographs of singleton boys and girls aged 8–11 years. The second sample comprised dental models of 202 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins aged 8–11 years. Adobe Photoshop CS5 was used to construct reference lines and measure the extent of infraocclusion (in mm) of primary molars on the panoramic radiographs and on 2D images obtained from the dental models. The panoramic radiographs were examined for the presence of selected dental variations and to assess dental development following the Demirjian and Willems systems. The twins’ dental models were measured to assess mesiodistal crown widths. Results In the singleton sample there was a significant association of canines in an altered position during eruption and the lateral incisor complex (agenesis and/or small tooth size) with infraocclusion ( P < 0.001), but there was no significant association between infraocclusion and agenesis of premolars. Dental age assessment revealed that dental development was delayed in individuals with infraocclusion compared to controls. The primary mandibular canines were significantly smaller in size in the infraoccluded group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The presence of other dental variations in association with infraocclusion, as well as delayed dental development and reduced tooth size, suggests the presence of a pleiotropic effect. The underlying aetiological factors may be genetic and/or epigenetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In archaeological contexts, sex identification is a necessary step for a complete reconstruction of the biological profile of the individuals and to know demographic patterns of the population, nutritional stress, diseases, growth and development, and distribution of pathological conditions. Methods This study is based on the skeletal remains of 149 individuals from three protohistoric populations in close temporal and geographic proximity in Abruzzo region (central–southern Italy): Opi, Alfedena and Bazzano. It has been possible to develop logistic regression equations based on dental measurements of permanent teeth of adult individuals whose sex had previously been estimated based on pelvic and cranial features. These equations were subsequently applied to the permanent dentition of immature individuals and adult individuals whose sex was estimated as uncertain or unknown in order to estimate their sex. Results The mandibular canine is the tooth with the greatest sexual dimorphism in adults, followed by both maxillary and mandibular first and second molars, providing a correct assignment of sex ranging from 83.7% and 95.9% of cases, depending on the dimensions used for the construction of these equations. Of the 29 individuals in the target sample (14 adultus , 10 juvenilis and 5 infans ), sex estimation was possible for 23 (10 adultus , 8 juvenilis and 5 infans ), representing an applicability rate of 79.31% of the individuals. Conclusions The results indicate that odontometrics is a useful tool for sex estimation and allows to increase the data to perform more complete paleodemographic studies on archaeological populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the sex of individuals is important for human identification. This study was conducted to quantify classification rates of sex prediction models for Malaysians using odontometric profiles. Mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) crown dimensions of the permanent dentition were studied in 400 young adult Malaysians, giving a total of 28 tooth size variables. The sample consisted of three major ethnic groups, the Malays, Chinese and Tamils, since the aim was to assess sex dimorphism in Malaysians as a whole. Results showed that the mesiodistal diameter of the lower canine was the most sexually dimorphic dimension in Malaysian Malays and Tamils. Univariate analyses showed that the magnitude and pattern of sex dimorphism varies between these three ethnic groups, with Malaysian Chinese and Tamils being more dimorphic than the Malaysian Malays. Stepwise discriminant functions were generated bearing in mind their application in practical forensic situations. The range of classification rates was from 70.2% to 78.5% for the composite Malaysian group, and 83.8%, 77.9%, 72.4% for Malaysian Chinese, Malays and Tamils, respectively. The 'Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve statistics' indicated good classification rates for three prediction models obtained using a combination of all tooth size variables, mandibular teeth, and mesiodistal dimensions in the composite Malaysian group, and for all tooth size variables in each ethnic group. The present study provides strong support for the value of odontometry as an adjunct scientific method for sex prediction in human identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sex determination is considered an important step in reconstructing the biological profile of unknown individuals from a forensic context. Forensic anthropologists have long used teeth as an additional tool for sex determination as they resist postmortem destruction. In this case the use of population-specific data is necessary since sexual dimorphism varies between different populations. Currently there are no odontometric standards for determining sex in Greek populations. The purpose of this study is to examine the degree of sexual dimorphism in permanent teeth of modern Greeks. A total of 839 permanent teeth in 133 individuals (70 males and 63 females) from the Athens Collection were examined. Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown and cervical diameters of both maxillary and mandibular teeth were measured. It was found that males have bigger teeth than females and in 65 out of 88 dimensions measured, male teeth exceeded female teeth significantly (P <0.05). Canines were the most dimorphic teeth followed by first premolars, maxillary second premolar and mandibular second molar. Although other teeth were also sexually dimorphic they did not have a statistically significant difference in all dimensions. The most dimorphic dimension was buccolingual cervical diameter followed by buccolingual crown diameter. A comparison of sexual dimorphism in teeth between different populations showed that it differs among different groups. European population groups presented the highest degree of sexual dimorphism in teeth whereas Native South Americans the lowest. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigate the accuracy of odontometric methods in sex determination, using a sample from the Portuguese population. Measurements were made on dental casts using a digital caliper, and various odontometric indexes have been defined using upper incisor and canine teeth. Comparison of the means in both sexes was performed using Student’s t-test. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in all variables except for the “Incisor Index”. The canine showed the greatest sexual discriminant characteristics. In the presence of one or both canines the distobuccal–mesiolingual crown diameter and the “Robustness Value” allowed discrimination between sexes in the studied population. We also provide further arguments on the debate on whether sex determination is population specific. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: To assess the prevalence of primary and secondary spacing in the deciduous dentition and its correlation to tooth widths and dental arch dimensions. Subjects and methods: Dental casts of 50 preschool children free from malocclusion, were analysed. The width of each space was measured as the smallest distance between the proximal surfaces of the neighbouring teeth, parallel to the occlusal plane. Crown width was measured as the greatest distance between the mesial and distal surfaces of the crown, parallel to the occlusal plane. Intercanine widths were measured between cusp tips of upper and lower canines. Intermolar widths were measured between the central fossae of the second molars. Arch lengths were measured from the midpoint between the central incisors to the midpoint between the distal surfaces of the deciduous second molars. Results: The primary spaces were present in the upper dental arch in 90% children, on the average 2.09mm in maxilla and 1.25mm in mandible. Their widths were dependent on upper intercanine width. Secondary spacing was present in 92% children in the upper dental arch (mean 2.86mm) and 90% in the lower (mean 3.08mm). Lower secondary spacing was correlated to lower intercanine width and lower arch length. Total absence of interdental spacing was found in 4% children. Conclusions: Interdental spacing of the deciduous dentition is present in 96% of Polish children. Children with wider intercanine widths have wider primary spaces in maxilla and wider secondary spaces in mandible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We analysed the variability of the lower cheek teeth of the Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus, from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, based on the coefficient of variation (CV), and examined tooth size variability. The mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) crown diameters of permanent cheek teeth were measured, and an index of the crown surface (MD×BL) was calculated. As a result, the CV for MD measurements ranged from 3.6 to 6.3, and that for BL measurements ranged from 3.6 to 6.5. In males and females, the first molar (M1) was the least variable (3.6–4.1) and the second premolar (P2) was the most variable (5.0–6.5), except for the case of BL in females. The crown surface index showed a morphological gradient that increased from mesial to distal, and the values of P2 in both sexes were extremely small. Overall, cheek tooth variability was not influenced by developmental factors, but appeared to be inversely related to functional factors. The highest coefficient of variation was observed for P2, which was characterised by a simple shape with a single cusp, and an extremely small size compared to other teeth. Only P2 showed congenital absence or impaction in the lower dentition. We also confirmed the relationship between tooth size variability and numerical variation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple framework is offered here for relating dental function, particularly the size of the dentition and its supporting skeleton, to the rest of the mammalian body. Built up from a simple understanding of the fracture properties of foods in mammalian diets, it predicts that mammals that reduce their body size rapidly will have jaws that become too small to house all their teeth. Dental overcrowding, with eventual reduction in tooth size or reduction in tooth number, is a logical result. The Flores finding shows a dentally crowded jaw entirely consistent with this theory. However, the theory also predicts that reduction in the values of certain mechanical properties of foods, particularly their toughness, will also bring about similar trends without changing body size. Dental crowding in modern humans is considered the combined result of tool use to comminute foods and cooking to modify their mechanical properties, such as toughness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective:: The aim of this study was to compare tooth size measurements between patients with supernumerary teeth and a control group. Method:: The supernumerary group consisted of 56 subjects (21 females and 35 males) and the control group of 40 subjects (20 females and 20 males). All available permanent teeth on the dental casts were imaged and measured from both buccal and occlusal views using an image analysis system. Mesio-distal, bucco-lingual or occluso-gingival dimensions, area and perimeter were measured from each view. Results:: Supernumerary tooth patients tended to have larger tooth size measurements for almost all variables than controls. Significant differences (p &#60;0.05) were found for the mesio-distal dimension of the upper and lower incisors and the bucco-lingual dimensions of the lower first premolars. Conclusions:: The results are compatible with supernumerary teeth being a complex dental anomaly with a multifactorial aetiology in which both genetic and environmental factors are important. There is some evidence of a local effect with greater differences in tooth dimension adjacent to the site of the supernumeraries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Metric variability of the deciduous teeth of several Old World monkey taxa were examined at the intergeneric and interspecific taxonomic levels. In general, the deciduous teeth of these taxa lack significant size sexual dimorphism with the exception of Papio cynocephalus. The data clearly demonstrate that male dimensions are not consistently larger than those of the females, in fact, female dimensions are frequently larger than those of the male. Thus, negative percentage sexual dimorphism is present in all species except Papio cynocephalus. Tooth size differences are randomly distributed among these species and do not appear to have any anatomical significance with respect to the different diets of the colobine and cercopithecine monkeys. This odontometric analysis reveals that it would be problematical to use deciduous tooth size as a basis for species identification with the possible exception of Papio cynocephalus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]