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Human osseal remains from the cemetery of Zatveretsky Posad at the historical Russian city of Tver revealed the data on its population in XVI-XVIII centuries. Obtained data generally agreed with the material from other contemporaneous necropoles of the city. Domination of male burials and underrepresentation of younger individuals are accompanied by the signs of poor oral hygiene. Caries has not only often destroyed majority of molars in males and females by the age of 45-50 years, but affected teeth of teenagers and even younger individuals. The heavily developed dental calculus is one of the signs of insufficient oral hygiene in adults. Possible kinship between buried is manifested by similar genetically determined cranial anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of sex is one of the most important procedures in the identification of an unknown person. Teeth are a potential source of information in that process. Estimation of sex in paleodontology is based on two approaches: visual inspection and statistical analysis. Many techniques have been developed within these two approaches. Forensic dentistry and paleodontology are two disciplines that share common observation platforms and methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypodontia is one of the most common dental developmental anomalies in humans. Numerous studies examined the incidence and prevalence of hypodontia in different populations. Meta analysis based researches found that prevalence of hypodontia in European Caucasians is 5,5%. Oligodontia, on the other hand, is less common especially if it is a non-syndromic dental anomaly. Theories of evolution suggest that hypodontia is natural part of phylogenetic reduction. Interestingly, some researches have proved that tooth agenesis is more common in females than males. Recent genetic investigations proved certain connection between oligodontia and epithelial ovarial cancer, and hypodontia is suggested to serve as potential risk marker. The purpose of this work is to report several cases of hypodontia or oligodontia in patients treated in our clinics. In all cases the patients were females (girls) age range from 7 to 17. During the routine diagnostic procedures clinical examinations were performed and orthopantomograms were taken. No family history could be established. Clinical implications of these anomalies are numerous, from esthetic and functional to financial. Management of such cases requires multidisciplinary approach. The dental team should include general dental practitioner, orthodontist, pediatric dentist and prosthodontist so that patients could receive full functional and esthetic dental care. Further cooperation with clinical geneticist could be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to find a possible link between Neolithic population of Eastern Europe and Western Siberia forest-sreppe zone using dental non-metric traits. Dental characteristics of four European (4 - the end of 3 millennium B.C., 79 individuals) and six Siberian samples (7 - 4 millennium B.C., 179 individuals) was compared, using different kinds of statistics. In total, more than 40 traits were described using ASUDAS and the Russian system of dental analysis. The first result of the analysis demonstrates closer affinities of European samples (Sakhtysh-2, Karavaikha, Fomino burial grounds) with early Siberian groups of C14 7-6 millennium B.C. (Sopka-2, Protoka burials) than with chronologically more closer populations (as Ust'-Isha, Itkul'). Shoveling of upper central incisors is absent in these samples, hypocone reduction is low and frequencies of distal trigonid crest and six-cusped lower first molars are similar among the European and early Siberian series. The differences between these groups are in frequencies of the Carabelli trait of the upper first molars and deflecting wrinkle of lower first molars. The second result of this research is that in the Neolithic population of Western Siberia we can see two components, morphologically differ from each other. One of them is dentally closer to the population of the western part of Eurasia (Sopka-2, Protoka) and the second one is more similar with eastern groups (pooled group from Vengerovo-2, Korchugan, Omskaya stoyanka burials; series from Ust'-Isha and Itkul' burial grounds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jaw movement during mastication is closely related with dental function and diet. If jaw movement can be inferred from dental and skeletal remains, such methods could be applied to extinct species enabling new paleobiological insights. Phase I facets are formed by tooth to tooth contact, and reflect interaction of cusp shape and jaw movement. In this study, we attempted to infer local direction of jaw movement from molar wear facets. For this purpose, crania of Piliocolobus badius (n=6) and Chlorocebus aethiops (n=6) stored at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, were used. In this pilot study, individuals with little to moderately worn dentitions with well-developed wear facets were chosen for investigation. A high-resolution 3-dimensional model of wear facet location and geometry was obtained as follows: 1) digital surface models of both maxillary and mandibular dental rows were built via whole jaw micro-CT-scans taken at circa 60 micron per voxel resolution, 2) higher resolution surface scans (<10 micron) of individual molars and wear facets were obtained, and 3) these were superimposed to acquire accurately positioned wear facet models spanning M1 to M3. Jaw excursion directions were estimated by planes fitted to adjacent wear facets, with the assumption that the line of intersection potentially represents local direction of movement. Simultaneously occluding facet pairs should exhibit similar directional vectors, within error of measurement. First we investigated technical hypotheses related to the optimal retrieval of direction estimates. Our preliminary analyses show general concordance between intersection vectors, suggesting that they reasonably represent local direction of jaw movement. We also found that, among our examined specimens, cusp function (i.e. supporting or guiding side) or height do not affect accuracy of jaw movement estimate. Moreover the intersection vectors were strongly related to cusp arrangements and also exhibited a helicoidal pattern related to that of the occlusal plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining an individual's identity can be a difficult task in cases of traffic accidents, mass disasters, wars, natural disasters, etc. The information collected from victims for accurate identification must be precise and include all objective findings. If the accident results in a full or partial loss of the jaw and teeth, identity establishing becomes considerably more complex, thus it is necessary to look for alternative identification options. The palatal rugae patterns are widely considered to remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime. Given the invariance and stability of the rugae pattern, the palatal rugae themselves are equivalent to fingerprints and thus considered relevant for the identification of victims. Uniqueness, postmortal resistance and stability of the palatal rugae represent an ideal parameter for forensic identification. The rugae pattern has the potential to remain intact by virtue of their internal position in the head when most other anatomical structures are destroyed or burned. The aim of the study is to establish, individual identity using palatal rugae patterns. The research consisted of 80 study models, 51% were females and 49% were men, separated into three age groups: 10 to 20 years (42%), 21 to 40 years (33%) and over 41 years old (25%). This study treats the shape, length and width of the rugae as well as their distance from both palatine raphe and incisive papilla. Each individual had different rugae patterns including fraternal twins and the rugae patterns were not symmetrical, both in number and in their distribution regardless of the gender and age. This preliminary study has shown that there are no two identical palates in terms of their rugae pattern. The palatal rugae possess unique characteristics as they are absolutely individualistic and therefore, can be used as a personal oral print for identification in forensic cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anomalies can be classified in four main groups: anomalies of number, anomalies of size, anomalies of shape and anomalies of structure. In the group of anomalies of shape gemination, fusion, concrescence, Talon cusps, dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, dilacerations and taurodontism can be distinguished. Concrescence is a rare developmental anomaly with an overall incidence of 0.8% in the permanent dentition.We present the case of an adult female age 61, without medical antecedents of interest, that goes to consultation for repeated inflammatory accidents at level of the upper molar area. While extracting a tooth 28 under local anaesthesia it became evident that the tooth was attached with tooth 27 between the roots. The union has been observed between the cementum of roots of the teeth. Although there was a risk of damage to a large portion of the alveolar bone near the maxillary sinus and increased likelihood of other complications to occur during a tooth extraction, both teeth were extracted and without any other complications during or after the operation. Healing was uneventful.Concrescence as an uncommon developmental anomaly may influence on tooth extraction as well as periodontal, endodontic, orthodontic and even prosthodontic treatment. In order to minimize the risk and adverse outcome of treatment, doctors of dental medicine should perform a comprehensive clinical and radiological analysis as an integral part of treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive research on tooth eruption, understanding this complex biological process remains unclear. Variation in the timing of eruption for primary teeth is under strong genetic control, but there is also a significant contribution from external factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of preterm birth, birth weight and length, and feeding practices during the first six months of life on the timing of eruption of the first primary tooth. Data on pregnancy duration, birth weight and length, feeding practice, time of eruption and first erupted primary tooth were collected by electronic questionnaires. The study included 409 parents and 592 children of both genders. The sample was divided into two groups according to pregnancy duration (<38 weeks and ⩾38 weeks), three groups according to feeding practice (exclusively breastfed, exclusively bottle fed, and a combination of breast feeding and bottle feeding), three groups by birth length (<50, 50-53, >53 cm), and four groups by birth weight (<1500, 1500-2500, 2501-3500,>3500 g). Data were analyzed considering chronological and corrected age - which is the gestational age plus the infant's chronological age at the month of eruption of the first primary tooth. The mean time of first primary tooth eruption was 7.55 ± 2.67 months when chronological age was considered. The first erupted tooth in most cases was a lower incisor (82.33%). There was a statistically significant difference in the timing of first tooth eruption between preterm and full-term groups when chronological age was considered (P<0.005). However, no difference was found when age was corrected. The age of eruption of the first tooth differed significantly when feeding, weight, and length groups (P<0. 05) were taken into account. Age calculation rather than retarded dental development may explain the later eruption of the first primary tooth in low weight, bottle fed, preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous methods of estimating age on the basis of human cranial skeletal remains are used all over the world. The human skull has seventeen unique cranial fusion sites that are positioned on the vault, the lateral-anterior sites, and the maxillary suture. Closure of cranial sutures progresses with age. Due its simplicity and acceptable level of reliability macroscopic assessment of cranial sutures has been used as one method of age estimation in forensic medicine and forensic dentistry. The aim of this research was to test the results of education in forensic age estimation using anterior median palatine suture between students of School of dental medicine, University of Zagreb. Group of dental medicine students interested in forensic dentistry were introduced with basic age estimation methods with special focus on anterior median palatine suture and its time of closure. They learned how to use the Buikstra and Ubelaker cranial suture closure scoring system. After they have undergone training, students got 100 digital images of skeletal remains of upper jaws showing occlusal surfaces of maxillary teeth and palatal bones. Their task was to estimate age using anterior median palatine suture. The results were compared with the actual chronological age of the deceased calculated on the basis of their dates of birth and demise. In 72% their estimation of age was correct. In 20% age was overestimated and in 8% age was underestimated. The majority of mistakes (16%) in age estimation were noticed in the age group 30-40 years. Although the skull sutures are not the best and most accurate method for age estimation they can provide a basic insight in the age at death. Furthermore this method is simple, easy to learn and not time-consuming making it the method of choice in cases where only general remarks on age are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineralization of permanent teeth can be used to assess the development and age of individuals. The most commonly used methods are based on an assessment of the developmental stages of the target group of teeth on one side of the lower jaw. When compared with children of European descent, less research of dental age from Sub Saharan Africa has been done. The aim of this study was to determine the chronology of mineralization of permanent teeth, by evaluation of development stages according to Demirjian and to evaluate the dental age, by using a self-weighted scores by Demirjian from the 1973, using the available sample of ortopantomograms of children and adolescents of African descent from the city of Gaborone, Botswana, with the aim of forming an appropriate sample to compare the evelopment of the teeth of children and adolescents in this socio-geographic environments. The sample consisted of 661 (273 males and 388 females) analyzed panoramic radiographs of individuals aged 5-23 years. Developmental stages of the upper and lower left jaw of all permanent teeth in development were evaluated. Comparing between the sexes, an average age of each stage of development of permanent teeth, including third molars, it is evident that females generally are faster in development of permanent teeth, without statistical significance, for the most of developmental stages. Applying maturity scores of development by Demirjian in the first seven teeth in the lower jaw (167 males and 226 females aged 5 to 16 years) for calculation of dental age, dental age averaged overestimated by 0.62 years for females and 0.90 years for males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Finland, the forensic age assessment is strictly regulated by legislation. The main purpose is to assess whether the asylum seeker is at least 18 years of age. The following aspects have to be taken into consideration: protection of the child, exposure to ionizing radiation and right to use native language in the examination. Forensic examination demands educated professionals to perform it. According to the Aliens Act (301/2004) and the amendment of the Act (549/2010) the police authorities, the frontier guard authorities or the immigration authorities have right to refer asylum seekers to the University of Helsinki, Hjelt Institute, Department of Forensic Medicine, for age assessment. The forensic age assessment is always performed by two forensic odontologists who will both sign the statement and at least one of them must be an employee of the Department of Forensic Medicine. The person has to give his/her written consent for the radiography and other examination and if aged under 18, an approval of the Restrict Court imposed representative is required. The forensic odontologist according to Radiation Act (592/1991) and amendment of the Act (1142/1998 Chapter 10) evaluates the legitimacy of forensic procedure. Exposure caused by the use of radiation must be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) gives recommendations concerning the methods of radiological examination. The Act on the Status and Rights of Patients (785/1992) determines how the information is saved and stored. The Coercive Measures Act (806/2011 Chapter 8 32§) defines a person's inspection when a crime suspect is to be examined. A prerequisite for such a bodily search is that the forensic age assessment has very important significance for the clarification of the offence. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international treaty to ensure special care and protection for minors. The current legislation on forensic age assessment has been well received and approved. Radiological and other examinations can be performed in different parts of Finland, but the forensic odontologist at the University of Helsinki, Hjelt Institute is always involved in the process and ensures joint quality standards for forensic age assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of real age of an individual is one of the main challenges in forensic science. For penal and criminal law, as well as general legislation, it is necessary to determine whether the person is older or younger than 18 years, in other words an adult or a minor? This becomes especially important when an individual lacks personal documents or other means of identification. Aim of this study was to evaluate applicability of third molar in assessing 18 years of age in Croatian individuals. Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) of 0.08, by measuring of the open apices of the teeth, was verified in sample of 1336 Orthopantomograms (OPGs) aged between 14 to 23 years. Chronological age gradually decreases as I3M increases in both genders. Males showed statistically significant advanced maturation when I3M was between 0.0 and 0.3 value. The results show that the sensitivity of the test for 0.08 value was 84.3% (95%CI 80.6%, 87.5%) and 91.2% (95%CI 88.7%, 93.1) in females and males, respectively. Specificity was 95.4% (95%CI 92.5%, 97.5%) and 91.9% (95%CI 88.8%, 94.3%) in females and males, respectively. The proportions of accurately classified males were 88.8% and 91.5% for females. The estimated post-test probabilities, of individuals who scored positive on the test (i.e., I3M < 0.08) as having 18 years of age or more, were 94.5% and 96.5% in females and males, respectively. Therefore, the probability that a Croatian individual, positive on the test (i.e., I3M < 0.08), was 18 years of age or older were 94.5% and 96.5% in females and males, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using light and scanning electron microscopy, we analyzed enamel incremental markings in mandibular third molars of free-ranging wild boars from two fluoride-polluted areas in Europe. This material was chosen as previous studies have demonstrated an enhanced visibility of incremental enamel markings in fluorosed compared to non-fluorosed teeth. Incremental markings were recorded in axiobuccolingually orientated ground sections through the central lobe. In addition to the total number of incremental markings present in the section plane, we determined the enamel extension rate (EER) along the enamel dentine junction (EDJ) and the daily enamel secretion rate (DSR) in buccal and lingual enamel. In transmitted light microscopy, incremental markings appeared as alternating dark and bright bands/lines that ran at a steep angle from the EDJ towards the outer enamel surface (OES). Outcrop of the incremental markings at the OES was not regularly associated with the presence of a perikyma groove. A mean number of 270 incremental markings was recorded in the section plane, thereby strongly suggesting their daily nature when compared to radiographically determined crown formation time (CFT) in wild boar. Incremental markings with a longer (supradaily) periodicity were not discernible. EER was highest in the cuspal crown area (about 100 μm/day) and decreased rapidly in cervical direction, reaching lowest values around 10 μm/day near the enamel-cementum border. In consequence, the upper two-thirds of the dentine were covered by enamel within the first third of CFT. DSR was lowest near the EDJ where values around 10 μm/day were recorded. In contrast, in outer enamel DSRs of > 20 μm/day were recorded. The results for wild boar enamel closely parallel that previously obtained for the enamel of Hanford minipigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the application of the LA-ICP-MS and SEM-EDS laser ablation techniques. This work was aimed at studying strontium and barium distribution at various locations in the enamel of teeth collected from historical populations from early medieval cemetery in Krakow (11th-12th century). Strontium and barium levels were measured in 3 enamel areas of M1 representative of the stages of their ontogenetic formation. Bone Ash 1600 and SRM 612 served as reference materials. JEOL JSM 5410 (Program SUBIN 94) scanning microscope with an EDS detector by Noran Instruments Inc. were used to determine the concentration of calcium and phosphorus. Then, the calculation of the Ca/P ratio provided information on the extent of diagenetic processes. It was found that strontium is the element whose concentration changes depending on the particular enamel. For males, as for females, strontium concentration varies significantly within analysed regions, the difference being more prominent between the external and central enamel layer of M1. In the case of barium no such dependencies were noticed. This phenomenon can be explained based on the diet and food products of the examined individuals. Changing strontium levels depend on the amount of consumed low- and high-calcium food products. Therefore, low strontium levels at the initial stages of development can indicate that the mother's milk was rich in calcium. The growing levels of this element in the consecutive years proves that low-calcium food products began to be introduced into people's diets. Barium, however, retains similar values regardless of age, which may result from the fact that its accumulation does not depend only on maternal food but also on other diversified food products consumed at consecutive stages of ontogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turner syndrome occurs in phenotypic females with complete or partial absence of X-chromosome. The leading symptom is short stature, while numerous but mild stigmata manifest in the craniofacial region. Turner syndrome patients are commonly treated with growth hormone to improve their final height. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of long-term growth hormone treatment on craniofacial morphology in patients with Turner syndrome. Cephalometric analysis was performed on 13 lateral cephalograms of patients with 45,X karyotype and the average age of 17.3 years. In all patients growth hormone has been administrated for at least two years. The control group consisted of 13 cephalograms of Turner syndrome patients naïve to growth hormone treatment, matched to study group by age and karyotype. Standard deviation scores were calculated to evaluate the level of growth hormone influence. In patients receiving growth hormone most of linear measurements were significantly larger compared to control group. Growth hormone therapy mostly influenced posterior face height, mandibular ramus height, total mandibular length, anterior face height and maxillary length. All these values were more than two standard deviations larger compared to controls. Cranial base was significantly elongated only in the anterior part. While the increase in linear measurements was evident, angular measurements and facial height ratio did not show statistically significant difference. Results of this study suggest that long-term growth hormone therapy has positive influence on growth and development of craniofacial complex in Turner syndrome patients, with the greatest impact on posterior facial height and mandibular ramus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their preservation in the fossil record and their heritability, dental trait analysis continues to play an important role in studies of the phylogenetic relationships within the hominoid clade. Of particular relevance to hominin systematics is the presence and variation in the tuberculum sextum, or cusp 6, on mandibular molars. Additionally, the application of microtomography to image the enamel-dentine junction of tooth crowns (which is a proxy for the early stage of tooth crown formation) has revealed substantial variation in trait morphology that is often no visible at the enamel crown surface, and which can improve our understanding of trait development. In this study we apply microtomography to examine the enamel surface and enamel-dentine junction expression of cusp 6 in a taxonomically broad sample of extant and fossil apes and fossil hominins (n = 256). Our results demonstrate previously undetected variation in cusp patterning on the distal margin of lower molars and suggest that a sixth cusp (and additional associated cusps) can form in a variety of developmentally distinct ways. Specifically, accessory dentine horns can form in association with the entoconid, hypoconulid or independently. Among apes, Pongo (14%) and Gorilla (30%) rarely present a cusp 6, while -60% of Pan molars tend to exhibit a single or double hypoconulid-type. Among hominins, >65% of Au. robustus, Au. afarensis and H. neanderthalensis molars express a cusp 6 with reduced expression in Early Homo and Au. africanus. We discuss our results within the context of a patterning cascade model of cusp development and implications for the interpretation of cusp 6 variation within the hominoid clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory cascade is an experimentally-derived model that describes changes in the relative occlusal area of mammalian postcanines. The inhibitory cascade has been tested in samples of rodents, ungulates, carnivores, and platyrrhines and may be useful for interpreting dental trends observed in fossil hominins. However, the inhibitory cascade has not yet been validated in a comprehensive sample of catarrhines. This study examines relative postcanine sizes in the mandibular dentitions of 11 extant, non-hominin catarrhine genera (N>250), modern humans (N=20), and three fossil hominin genera (N=43). Mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters were measured and used to compute occlusal area, and relative occlusal areas were analyzed in the context of the inhibitory cascade. The results validate the application of the inhibitory cascade to catarrhine postcanines, specifically showing that cercopithecoids are best described by relative occlusal area proportions of M1

In mammalian evolution a talonid-like crushing zone in the lower molars accompanied by a protocone-like cusp in the upper molars was developed up to three times independently before the occurrence of the tribosphenic molar. The most basal mammaliaforms with pseudotribosphenic molars are the docodonts with a mesially situated pseudotalonid. This study focuses on the Late Jurassic docodont Haldanodon exspectatus of which a large number of isolated teeth and tooth rows is known from the Guimarota coal mine in Portugal. SEM-images were used to identify wear facets and striations, synchrotron and micro-CT data to create 3D models. Striations and 3D models then served as a basis for an analysis of the mastication cycle with the Occlusal Fingerprint Analyser (OFA). Previous studies could be confirmed which stated that the pseudoprotocone of Haldanodon and other docodonts occludes mesiolingually of the pseudotalonid. The upper molars occlude in between the lower molars, so that the mesial part of the upper molar contacts the distal part of the lower molar and the distal part of the upper molar contacts the mesial part of the following lower molar. In contrast to tribosphenic molars, the "pestle and mortar" occlusion in Haldanodon lower molars is performed by auxiliary cusp Y on the distal flank of the pseudoprotocone. However, the mesiolingual open pseudotalonid has only limited crushing function. The majority of crushing takes place in the distally situated pseudotrigon of the upper molar and is conducted by cusp b of the lower molar. Additionally, a transversal component is added to this crushing function by a lateral movement of the lower jaw. The OFA analysis also shows that main cusp a of the lower molar occludes beyond the dental crown-root-boundary of the upper molar. This "overbite" is compensated by pits in the maxilla between the upper molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During evolution the human skull has become gracile and less able to generate and withstand high masticatory forces. Moreover, it has been shown that compared with other primates, only the morphology of the lower portion of the face correlates with dietary characteristics, suggesting different morpho-functional relationships of the upper and lower face with masticatory parameters. This study aimed to describe the relationship between skull morphology, muscle force and cranial response to biting in virtual simulations, using geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis (FEA). The former is the statistical analysis of shape, and FEA is an engineering technique that assesses the mechanical response of a structure under load. The three-dimensional anatomies of 20 adult individuals were reconstructed based on medical computed tomograms from a Chilean hospital. Maximal contractile muscle forces were calculated from their muscular anatomical cross-sectional areas. Fifty-nine landmarks were selected to represent skull morphology. A partial least squares analysis (PLS) was performed to study the association between skull shape and muscle force, and FEA was used to compare the strains generated in the four most extreme morphological variants during incisor and molar bites. The results showed that the proportion of total muscle CSA represented by the temporalis muscle is most strongly associated with skull morphology (RV=0.22). The individuals with larger temporalis muscle proportion possess a wide face and a narrow, vertically oriented maxilla, and lower positioning of the coronoid process. The FEA showed that despite morphological variation, the simulated bites strain all the crania similarly, with lower strains found in the individuals with the narrowest, most vertically oriented maxillae. Our results suggest that the morphology of the maxilla could play a role in the transmission of forces generated during mastication to the rest of the cranium, by deforming less in individuals with the ability to generate large muscle forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelioscopy is a forensic research technique that deals with the study of lip prints, their elevations and depressions that form a distinctive pattern on the outer surface of the lips. Importance of cheiloscopy is associated with the fact that individuals differ lip prints. Identification of individuals is one of the most challenging part of modern forensic medicine. The aim of the research is to measure the vertical and horizontal dimension of the lips, and to check the gender differences between males and females. The study was conducted on 31 male and 44 female subjects randomly selected from the Croatian population whose lips were photographed using a digital camera Olympus μ-mini and further measurements were done on digital photograps. Maximal horizontal dimension of lips in males was 48.05 mm and in woman was 44.90 mm. Men had statistically significant higher maximal horizontal dimension (p=0.00014). There wasn't statistically significant difference in maximal vertical dimension between males and females. Results of this research showed that lips dimensions together with lip pattern can have very important role for forensic dental identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic technique used to observe vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes in a system relying on Raman scattering, of monochromatic light, usually from a laser which interacts with molecular vibrations resulting in the energy of the laser photons being shifted up or down. The aim of this work is to establish a correlation between ageing and Raman spectra imaging of human teeth. For this purpose 37 human extracted molars were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Three points were recorded on each tooth: first on enamel, second on the neck of the tooth and third on tooth apex. Each point is recorded with 10 spectrums (100 scans and 500 mW). At the apex of the tooth, the closest to the expected result was achieved, with an error of predicted and measured age of 6.8 years. Recorded spectra were analyzed with principal component regression to establish correlation between age and Raman spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of deciduous crown formation times is useful in both forensic anthropology and when aging juvenile remains in an archaeological context. Histological techniques for calculating enamel formation times in deciduous teeth are usually completely dependent on being able to visualise clear daily incremental markings. Regression formulae generated from previously published research, and used to estimate deciduous crown formation times, resulted in formation times that corresponded well with those reported in the literature. In order to further test these formulae, we applied them blind to ground sections of two teeth each from two individuals who had experienced 'stress events' during their early lives but who also had well-recorded medical histories. These results were also compared to others derived from the same sections but from daily cross-striation counts. The formulae successfully predicted the times of prenatal and postnatal enamel formation relative to the neonatal line and correctly identified premature birth in both individuals. The formulae were also able to correctly estimate the ages at which accentuated 'stress lines', including 'immunisation lines', occurred during the period of enamel formation according to the medical histories. The use of the formulae developed here to identify 'immunisation lines' resulted in a maximum difference of three days between the estimated day of such an event and the record of it in the medical history and was judged as good as using direct cross-striation counts. The pattern and timing of 'immunisation lines' in deciduous enamel might therefore prove useful in the identification of human juvenile remains if well-documented medical histories are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teeth are excellent material for anthropological, genetic, odontological and forensic research and they have great role in forensic practice. They are well preserved after death and they exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism. Hence, they provide excellent materials for forensic investigations intended for sex assessment. Sexual dimorphism refers to the differences in size, stature and appearance between male and female and is a useful tool to distinguish them, especially in forensic investigations and anthropological assessments. The canines are favoured as ideal teeth to study these differences in view of their durability in the oral cavity. The aim of of this study was to examine the degree of sexual dimorphism in permanent teeth of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian population based on odontometric characteristics of mandibular and maxillary canines. A total of 720 permanent teeth in 180 individuals (90 males and 90 females) were examined. The greatest mesiodistal width of all four canines and intercanine distance were measured directly in the patients' mouth using a digital sliding meter and values were expressed up to the hundredth part of millimetre. Subsequently, canine index was calculated for both sides. Statistical analysis was done to assess sex difference using Students "t" test (paired). It was found that males have bigger teeth than females (p<0.001). The mean value of the canines width in males and females on the right and left sides were compared by usingthe t-test and was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Sexual dimorphism was calculated and maxillary canine was found to be more dimorphic than mandibular canine (p<0.01). The right canine was found to be more dimorphic than left canine (p<0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex assessment is an importante information when human remains are described. In this regard, skulls and madibles can offer important parameters. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the mandibular angle on sex assessment in a Brazilian sample. Sixty six computed tomographies of mandibles from the Guarulhos' Forensic Anthropology Investigation Center were evaluated, and the goniac angle was measured using the VG Studio Max 2.1® program. The mandibles had known sex, but the observer didn't have access to this information until the end of the measurements. Logistic regression was used and the level of significance was of 5%. The investigation was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of São Paulo's School of Dentistry (CEP-FOUSP). Thirty three male and 33 female mandibles were evaluated. The mean male goniac angle was 128.3 (± 1.46) and the female was 131.2 (± 1.19) (p=0.13). For male 60.61% of the measurements were correct, and among female mandibles, 48.48%. The values of the goniac angles were lower among male than female mandibles; also, no differences between the groups were found. More studies should be performed using different samples in order to improve the measurements' accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Çorakyerler vertebrate fossil locality dating to late Miocene is located on the road of Yapraklı district in Çankırı province in Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The altitude of the locality about 745 metres. Excavations have been held systematically in this region since 2001. Çorakyerler vertebrate fossil locality is between MN11-12 zones (about 8-7 million years) according to faunal comparison and magnetostratigrafic dating. Çankırı-Çorum basin, on which the fossil locality is located, emerged with the low tide of Tetis Sea. Çorakyerler, where so many different species from giraffidae to rhinocerotidae, from carnivora to hominoidea live, has been a significant locality with its faunal diversity and the quality of the findings. The fossils of the animals, which are extinct in Çankırı today but were alive in Çorakyerler in the late Miocene, are found in the excavations. The hominoidea finding in Çorakyerler fauna dating to 7-8 million years is the youngest hominoidea fossil found within the borders of Anatolia. Due to its similarities to Ouranopithecus macedoniencis, it is called as Ouranopithecus turkae. The hominoidea of Çorakyerler, which is represented with at least four different individuals, has similarities to early Pliocene hominoideas Australopithecus anamensis and Ardipithecus ramidus as well as its resemblance to Ouranopithecus macedoniensis found in Macedonia and Greece. In the excavations held since 2001, teeth and maxilla pieces are found belonging to four different individuals consisting of two mandible pieces one of which is adult female and the other is adolescent, a maxilla belonging to a young adult individual and lastly the facial zone with a part of maxilla. With the examination of these maxilla and teeth morphologies, important information will be provided about the genus and species. By telling the morphology, tubercular alignment and incisive structure of the canine teeth, genus, species, and diet will be discussed besides sexual dimorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enamel hypoplasias constitute the best indicator of mineralization disturbance, resulting from environmental stress. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of the enamel hypoplasia in historical population and compare the results to date from other research on historical and contemporary groups. The distribution of hypoplasia was determined in complete and partial human dentitions from a two 17th-18th century series: from Krakow and from Krasiczyn. Both sites are located on south of Poland. Thirty four adults and twenty six no adults from Krakow and twenty four adults and eleven no adults from Krasiczyn, divided into five different age groups, were studied. In Krakow population altogether 1130 (1047 permanent and 83 deciduous) were examined macroscopically. The number of examined teeth from the individuals from Krasiczyn was 500 (351 permanent and 149 deciduous). Hypoplastic defects were scored according procedure proposed by Steckel et al. in Global History of Health Project. Among individuals from Krakow the frequency of hypoplastic defects was 42.03% (linear defects 37.96%, pits and grooves 4.07%). In Krasiczyn population the frequency of linear hypoplastic defects was 20.7%. The rate of hypoplastic defects in Krakow was relatively high, a much higher than in Polish contemporary populations. Among individuals from Krasiczyn the hypoplastic defects occur rarely than in other historical samples. The data indicate significantly greater frequencies of enamel hypoplasia in Krakow population compared to the population from Krasiczyn. It can be concluded that the stress level in Krakow population was higher than in Krasiczyn population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of ancient people's lives can be accomplished by studying their dental remains. They present a valuable source of information about the type of food people ate, illnesses they suffered, and social stratification within a community. Analysed dental remains refer to the period between the 3rd and the 5th century. Romans lived in Cibale, current Vinkovci. The purpose of this study was to collect detailed dental information about Romans who lived in Vinkovci and to evaluate the pathology which included presence of dental caries, antemortem tooth loss and surface wear. Sex determinations were made according to cranial morphology. Age determinations were based on eruption status in children and tooth wear patterns in adults. The analysed sample was well preserved and consisted of the dental remains of 100 individuals with total of 2728 teeth. The prevalence of carious teeth was 4.4%. The prevalence of antemortem tooth loss was 3.9%. Most of the examined teeth showed moderate amount of surface wear. According to recorded pathological changes on jaws, it can be concluded that the ancient inhabitants from Vinkovci were mainly agriculturists with diet based on cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of Stafne's defect in a 4th century mandible from a 45-49 year old male recovered from Zmajevac antique site, Croatia. Stafne's defect is a circumscribed, oval bone cavity located below the mandibular canal, above the mandibular base and between the mandibular angle and the third mandibular molar. Many consider it a developmental anomaly, resulting from pressure, erosion or inclusion of a portion of the submandibular salivary gland. However, aetiology and biology of Stafne's defects remains unclear. Other terms that refer to this entity are latent, static or idiopathic defect, cavity or cyst; mandibular salivary gland inclusion; lingual mandibular bone cavity or depression; Stafne cyst or cavity; ectopic or aberrant salivary gland. Studies report an incidence between 0.10 and 0.48%. Skeletons used in this case report are part of the Osteological collection of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. CT scan was used to analyze and describe the entity. CT scan showed an 11.2 x 8.6 x 6.3 mm unilocular, radiolucent, oval lesion located on the lingual side of the mandible, below the second and third molar and above the inferior margin of the mandible. Floor of the defect is smooth and borders clearly demarcated. Lingual cortex is discontinued while the buccal is thin and slightly widened. We present a case of Stafne's defect rarely presented in anthropological research. CT analysis is suitable for research on dry bone specimens and may be useful for understanding the aetiology of Stafne's defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to analyze the symmetry of mental foramen due to its size and location. The aim is to obtain data on the size and position of the foramen on skeletal Croatian population and to determine whether there are differences between the left and right side of the jaw or between men and women. The study was conducted on digital photographs of skeletal remains of 54 adult (27 women and 27 men) mandibles recorded in standard lateral projection. Position of mental foramen is defined by the following average values: distance from mental foramen to the alveolar ridge of the mandible 12.33 mm, to the lower edge of mandible 11.03 mm, to mental protuber 11.8 mm, to the angle of the mandible 57.26 mm. Average values for mesiodistal diameters were 2.29 mm, craniocaudal diameter 1.78 mm and scope of mental foramen 5.94 mm. The study did not show any statistically significant difference between the left and right side of the position and dimensions of mental foramen. There is a statistically significant difference between men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enamel hypoplasias are considered useful indicators of exposure to a health disturbances and stress at the time of the enamel formation. In a historic sample, they may provide a relative measure of that exposure stress. A sample of 104 sculls from an 18th century Požega cathedral crypt was examined for the frequency and distribution of enamel defects ranging from surface pits to linear enamel hypoplastic changes. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods. The percentage of enamel hypoplasias was 11.14 % if total possible number of teeth was taken into consideration. However, when only present teeth were accounted for, the percentage of hypoplasias was 22,61 %. The most frequently affected maxillary teeth were canines (left 32,0%, right 35,9%), upper lateral incisives (left 23,3%, right 29,1%), and upper central incisives (left 16,5%, right 20,4%). The most frequently affected mandibular teeth were canines (both left and right 17,5%) and right first lower molar (10,7%). Significant differences in the distribution of hypoplasias between males and females were found for upper premolars (Mann Whitney U test, Z=-2,408, p=0,016), upper canines (Mann Whitney U test, Z= -3,073, p=0,002), upper incisives (Mann Whitney U test, Z= -2,158, p=0,031) as well as total number of hypoplastic teeth in the maxilla (Mann Whitney U test, Z= -3,059, p=0,002) and the mandible (Mann Whitney U test, Z= -2,192, p=0,028). No differences in hypoplasia distribution was found between age groups (Kruskal Wallis test, p>0,05). The high level of stress in this skeletal sample may indicate the susceptibility of children to diseases and systemic disturbances during growth in the early and mid childhood. A big plague epidemic in 1739 in Slavonia region as well as epidemics of chickenpocks, typhus, malaria and dyphteria throughout 18th century could have contributed to a hypoplastic changes observed in presented population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone deformities and dental stigmata are the main ways in which congenital syphilis can be diagnosed in archaeological human remains. As the teeth are usually better preserved than bones, dental alterations are valuable markers for the diagnosis of this disease. Some of the distinctive characteristics of congenital syphilis are specific hypoplastic defects that influence to morphogenesis and appear in the form of dental anomalies (Hutchinson's incisors, Fournier's canines, Moon's and Mulberry molars) and nonspecific enamel hypoplastic defects that can reflect general health and living conditions and in cases of congenital syphilis appear on the dental structures that calcify within the first year of life. In this paper we present the results of the analysis of dental remains belonging to a female aged 17 to 20 years recovered from the archaeological site Park Grič in Zagreb, dated to 16th century. The dental remains we consider come from a fragmented maxilla and a very well preserved mandible. These teeth display specific changes associated with congenital syphilis. All first molars show significant enamel defects such as multiple rounded rudimentary enamel cusps and hypertrophy of the enamel surrounding the cusp with agglomeration of masses of globules giving it the appearance of a mulberry. The upper right first molar is reduced in all crown dimensions with respect to the adjacent teeth and the lower right first molar is smaller in overall size than the second molar with reduced cusp size and irregular shape. The thin enamel is infolded and marked dentine exposure is evident on the cuspal tips. All upper and lower incisors present enamel defects in the form of notches on buccal surfaces and incisal edges. The tip of the canine cusp is partially hypoplastic in the form of shallow notch. The teeth described in this contribution show clear alterations typical of congenital syphilis. This individual is so far the oldest archaeological specimen affected by congenital syphilis documented in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical series samples provide valuable information about health and lifestyle people in the past. In studies of biological condition, several skeletal indicators are used, including dental carries. The aim of this study was to determine the dental caries in the skeletal human series from a 17th-18th century graveyard excavated in two archeological sites from southern Poland: Kraków and Krasiczyn and compare with studies on other historical populations. The permanent and deciduous dentition of 60 inviduals from Krakow and 36 inviduals from Krasiczyn were examined. Total number of examined teeth was in the population from Krakow 1130 (1047 permanent and 83 deciduous) and in the population from Krasiczyn 500 teeth (351 permanent and 149 deciduous). Teeth were examined macroscopically using a dental probe. Dental carries was scored also according to procedure in which the initiation sites are recorded, with the methodology proposed by Moore and Corbett. In examined skeletal sample, frequency index and intensity index were calculated. The rate of dental carries was high in both population, however, the lower frequency was noted among individuals from Krakow than among indviduals from Krasiczyn. The frequency of carries in the archeological site Krakow was 46.7%, while the intensity rate of dental carries was 22.03%. The frequency of carries in site Krasiczyn was 68.57%, while the intensity rate of dental carries was 27.32%. In both population carries on occlusal surface molar teeth were the most frequently observed. The similar frequency of the dental carries was observed in the other historical Polish population. The results of presented paper and published in scientific literature date showed that dental carries were the prevalent illness in historical population, both among children and adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthodontic anomalies and malocclusions are relatively infrequently analyzed in bioarchaeological and anthropological research. Scientists do not recognized their as an important source of data about the general health and life standard in past populations. The aim of this study is to present selected orthodontic anomalies observed in skeletal series from an 18th century mass grave excavated in Krakow. Total number of individuals was 85 (23 juvenile and 62 adult). Teeth were examined macroscopically and with using X-rays. In study will be present examples of dentition anomalies. Case 1: The skeletal remains of a juvenile individual with abnormal dentition and hypodontia (teeth missing from the normal compliment), the age of the death 13 to 15 years. Case 2: The skeletal remains of adult men (20 - 30 years) with microdontia of second mandibular incisor. Case 3: The skeletal remains which corresponds to a male between 35 - 40 years of age with pathological abrasion. Case 4: The skeletal remains which correspond to a male between 20 - 30 years of age with prognathism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teeth, like all other organs in the human body, are sensitive to metabolic disturbances caused by inadequate nutrition and/or various diseases. These disturbances can slow or stop the formation of dental enamel during childhood and since enamel does not have the ability of remodelling this defect known as linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) will remain recorded until the affected part of the tooth crown is destroyed by abrasion. So, in this regard, linear enamel hypoplasia is a reliable indicator of metabolic stress during childhood, i.e. during formation of dental enamel. The aim of this study was to record frequency, distribution and timing of linear enamel hipoplasia in two early medieval (7th-10th c. AD) skeletal samples from Ireland - Augherskea and Omey Island. The presence of LEH was analysed on the permanent anterior teeth - maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. The analysis included 61 adult individuals with permanent dentition: 21 from Augherskea and 40 from Omey Island. The frequency of LEH per individual is slightly higher in the Augherskea sample compared to the Omey Island (76.2% vs. 65.0%). The frequency of LEH per individual in both samples combined is 68.8% (42/61). The hypoplastic defects are more frequent in females than in males (85.2% vs. 75.0%). The total frequency of this pathology per tooth is 43.4% (181/417) - the highest frequency was found in canines (57.2%). A slightly higher prevalence was observed in maxillary teeth compared to mandibular (44.2% vs. 42.3%). The age ranges of LEH formation vary between 2.4 and 3.0 years for the central mandibular incisors, and 4.3 and 4.9 years for the mandibular canines. At the end, the results of this study are compared with similar data from other medieval skeletal samples and possible causes for the occurrence of LEH in past populations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is currently being conducted on human dentition excavated from the necropolis at the site of the ancient city of Alalakh in Hatay Province, Turkey. As an administrative and economic hub in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages (c. 2000-1000 B.C.), Alalakh is thought to have been ethnically Hurrian, administered by the Mitannian kingdom to the east. Yet military conquest by the Hittites and Egyptians that often wrested control from Mitanni is well documented, as is the material record of long-distance trade among the peoples of Alalakh and other groups in the Mediterranean and Near East. How much this interaction and (often violent) subjugation impacted life (and death) in this ancient city and altered the genetic terrain is not fully understood. Ethnic and cultural variation during this vibrant period of commerce, migration, and military conquest in the northern Levant is problematically inferred from language and material culture but does not address who is using either. The physical expression of genetic and behavioral variation (derived from human dentition) can bring archaeologists in the northern Levant closer to understanding the diversity that likely existed at Alalakh during this period. The Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (Scott et al. 1991), or ASUDAS, will be used with other approaches (wear, pathology, etc.) to assess the morphological and physical characteristics of this population's dentition and determine the scale of physical and genetic variation within this group. Information from the burials, such as position and location of remains, associated artifacts, and grave goods, will supplement the data collected from the dentition. The current ASUDAS data are presented, along with other observations, and compared to four predictive models that accommodate the possible impact that the history of Bronze Age migration may have had on the genetic and cultural fabric of ancient Alalakh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively few dental abnormalities in wild animals have thus far been reported in the paleopathological literature. We present a case of cementoblastoma, a benign odontogenic tumor of ectomesenchymal origin in a red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the Late Pleistocene of Rochedane, a prehistoric site in the French Jura. The tumor was attached to the root of a heavily worn loose left maxillary third molar. CT imaging revealed several radiolucent (former soft tissue) spaces of varying shape and size within the mineralized tumorous mass. Light microscopic analysis and backscattered electron imaging in the SEM showed that the process of dental wear had reached the tumor and that the tooth and the attached tumor had undergone considerable microbial diagenesis. This is the first case of cementoblastoma described in a prehistoric animal and also the first report of this type of odontogenic tumor in a prehistoric or modern deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation findings in fossil materials, from the burials on the territory of Drutsk town in Belarus, collected during the archeological excavations in 2008 - 2010 under the supervision of prof. O.N Levko and A.V. Voitehovich, discussed in the report. A number of 6 male and 2 female skeletons examined. The age of 3skeletons defined as Adultus, 1 - Maturus I, 3 - Maturus II, 1 - Senilis. The level of caries incidence in the excavated examples comprised 75,0% (6 of the 8 objects had carious cavities on their teeth). Caries intensity comprised 2 to 3 carious teeth (in average) in each individual. Antemortem lost of teeth noted in 3 cases of 8 examined (37,5%). Sings of periodontal disease noted in 4 individuals. The level of dental attrition varied from point 2 to point 6 according to the age of individuals. Pathological changes, found in bones are: head of femur hyperostosis, cotyloid cavity porosis, and intervertebral, lumbar, costovertebral arthrosis, vertebral body deformation, vertebral osteophytes (burials Nº1, Nº 28, Nº31), periostitis on the medial surface of tibia, signs of lumbar osteochondrosis (burial Nº1). Bowing of tibia, possibly, due to the rickets, suffered in the childhood, or probably the male was a horseman. Many bones have signs of antemortem trauma - marks of hard injuries, callus in the places of bone fractures, numerous trauma with traces of healing followed by bone union (burials Nº 1, Nº 28, Nº 31). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Kupietzky and Rozenfarb (1993) the enamel pearl anomaly was first described in 1824 by Linder and Linder. Enamel which is normally restricted to the anatomic crowns of human teeth may be found ectopically on the root, either as cervical enamel projections or enamel pearls (Risnes et al., 2000). Enamel pearl is defined as an ectopic globule of enamel that is firmly attached to the tooth root (Darwazeh and Hamasha, 2000). These developmental aberrations in tooth morphology may predispose the affected area to plaque accumulation and consequently cause periodontal breakdown. Maxillary 2nd and 3rd molars are more commonly involved than the first molars (Saini et al., 2008). The purpose of this poster is to present five archeological cases of enamel pearl anomaly in an archaeological sample from Kranj - Slovenia. The skeleton remains correspond to three males between 30 and 40 years and two females between 25 and 50 years. The common site of location of the enamel pearl is adjacent to the furcation or furrow of the root, especially the bifurcation or trifurcation areas of maxillary and mandibular molars. The phenomenon of ectopic development of enamel on the root surface, variedly referred to as enameloma, enamel pearl, enamel drop or enamel nodule, is not well-understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okhotsk culture rose in the Sakhalin, northern Hokkaido and the Kurile Islands during the 5th to 12th century A.D. [Kikuchi T. (1978)]. They represent many characteristics in common not with the Ainu, but with the Northern Mongoloids [Yamaguchi B. (1974), Kozintsev A.G. (1992)]. Studies on the cranial morphology and the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes suggest that the people of the lower Amur region were related to the origin of the Okhotsk people [Ishida H. (1988, 1996), Sato T. et al. (2007, 2009)]. Even with considerable research of crown measurement, consensus has not yet been reached about the origin of the Okhotsk people. The purpose of this paper is to disclose dental metrical relationship for the people of the lower Amur region and the Okhotsk people. We have analyzed the characteristics from crown measurements of Chinese ethnic minorities of the Amur River basin. The majority of the groups around the lower Amur region are the Tungusic hunters. To conduct the study, we used the plaster casts of the permanent dentition of the Amur River basin. We compared with the people of the Amur region, the Okhotsk people and the other North Asia ethnics from crown measurements. We carried out the following statistics: (1) The total crown area, (2) The deviation diagram, (3) The Q-mode correlation coefficients and (4) The cluster analysis. We targeted the Oroqen tribe of the Amur River basin. The result shown in the crown total area and the deviation diagram supported the relatedness, whereas the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional diagrams plotted the Oroqen at the upper end of the Central Asian cluster, which lies far down from the Okhotsk. These results suggested a possibility that the Oroqen was origin of the Okhotsk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeology, paleoanthropology and paleodontology can provide much insight in dealing with forensic cases. Experience which forensic osteologists and anthropologists gather from the excavation sites can be helpful in forensic cases. Also, forensic osteologists can give detailed information to the archaeologists about the bones found from the diggings. This article presents a succesful study which was conducted by Council of Forensic Medicine experts, forensic odontologists and archaeologists. Metropolis is an ancient city which is located on the west coast of Turkey, in Smyrna. The first settlement was founded during the Early Bronze Age on the Acropolis, nearly 5000 years ago. In the Hellenistic Period (3rd -1st century BC), Metropolis was a city with heavily fortified walls, and it was the city of Mother Goddess. During the Roman period, the city was extended and modified. With the Byzantine Bishopical reign, the city began to decline. On the excavation site in Metropolis, skeletal remains of a hellenistic woman was retrieved. There were also essences, trinkets and a sheave in her grave. The skeleton was anaylsed by a group of experts from ATK, odontologists and archaeologists. It was found out that the skeletal remains were preserved well, other than some post-mortem fractures and defects. The attention grabbing spots were the alterations on her left clavicle and left humerus. Also the opening between her upper right and lower incisive and canine tooth was remarkable. It was thought that these alterations were caused by her practice of spinning yarn with her mouth. Later, the face of the woman was obtained with a facial reconstruction. The analysis of archaeological remains can give plenty of information on the lives of ancient peoples. As this case an example of it, occupations, diets, illnesses, cultural practices and habits of these people can be learned by such researchs. It is without a doubt that multi-disciplinary approach towards these studies would result in more efficient and succesful results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jomon people actively exchanged goods with groups who lived in other areas of mainland Japan. Although strontium analysis can be used to determine who the immigrants were and where people came from, this method requires the destruction of a certain quantity of bone. As Japan is covered by acidic soil, skeletal remains are often in bad condition. Poorly preserved bone has a risk of contamination, and skeletal remains in good condition are invaluable. Therefore, non-destructive methods that allow migration analysis are preferred in Japan. The aims of this study are to determine whether dental measurements and nonmetric dental traits can be used for migration analysis, and to determine patterns of mating during the Jomon period. The results of both dental measurements and nonmetric traits showed that male specimens formed two large clusters according to regions (the Kanto-Tohoku region and the Central region). By contrast, female specimens were found in smaller clusters depending on area and period. These results suggest that males moved longer distances for marriage than females during the Jomon period. The Final Jomon period sites in the Tokai region show a similar pattern of dental trait variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth wear is caused by attrition, abrasion and erosion and it is well known that there is a positive correlation between the degree of tooth wear and chronological age of an individual. There are numerous methods and indices that have been developed for diagnosing, grading and monitoring loss of dental hard tissues. Some of them are based on a qualitative assessment and other on a quantitative measurement. Grading or scoring systems (qualitative approach) can be very subjective. Quantitative techniques are always considered more objective and reliable but in the same time also more complex and time consuming. The aim of this abstract is to present a simple, computer-based method for metric quantification of tooth wear suitable for age estimation purposes in paleodontology. Occlusal surfaces of teeth of upper and lower jaw were photographed by a digital camera under standardized conditions. Images were transferred to the computer software VistaMetrix Inc. Using this software, areas of exposed dentine on occlusal tooth surfaces were outlined and size of areas of exposed dentine was calculated and expressed in square millimeters. Areas of exposed dentine were correlated to chronological age. This method provides simple, user friendly, fast, reliable, precise and inexpensive metric quantification of tooth wear giving data which are objective and comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although species abundance is notoriously difficult to ascertain from fossil assemblages because of biases in preservation (e.g. body mass or habitat preference), teeth may provide a window into relative population density. Mammalian teeth fossilize exceptionally well and are sensitive to metabolic stress during their formation, yielding an indelible record of an individual's health during development. In particular, the formation of enamel and dentine can be inhibited by food limitation, a condition that often characterizes high-density ungulate populations. To explore the impact of food limitation on dental development, we focused on two exceptionally well-studied populations for which fluctuations in density and environmental factors are known: moose (Alces alces) of Isle Royale National Park (IRNP), Michigan (b. 1959 -1998) and elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) of Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming (b. 1979-2009). Data from the study of 80 IRNP moose document a significant increase in enamel defects under high-density conditions relative to low-density on the island and mainland Ontario. Post-weaning enamel hypoplasias were unequally distributed across the crowns. Under high-density conditions, variance in mandible length increases as a result of a greater number of individuals with short mandibles in both sexes. A variety of osteological signs point to food limitation in 123 surveyed elk from YNP, albeit at much lower frequencies than IRNP. Elk hypoplasias were not constrained to a particular tooth or cusp. Additionally, the elk teeth are distinguished by enamel that was chipped and subsequently worn during life. Tooth roots from a subset of the surveyed animals were histologically analyzed to examine the relationship between circadian dentine appositional growth rates and population density during the post-weaning period, an approach that generates a higher-resolution record of development. In conjunction with dental attrition data from predators, this two-part approach has the potential to elucidate the relative densities of extinct predators and their prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African pygmies are the most extreme of modern human variation. A deficiency in the GH-IGF1 axis, founded on genetic changes, seems to be responsible of their short average stature, lesser than 1,55 m. African pygmies split from non-pygmies populations 60,000 BP and their phenotype seems to be an adaptation to the humid and rich in pathogens environment of the equatorial rain forest. Living far from villages and the lack of individual chronology are certainly among the main reasons that have excluded any study on dental growth in Pygmies. The relation between somatic and dental growth is thus completely unknown. From 2007, we follow dental growth, as well as somatic one, in around 500 Baka pygmies with known age from 0 to 23 years old in South-East Cameroon. Oral inspection, performed with a yearly frequency, enabled us to obtain, by using Probit analysis, the age of gingival eruption and the attainment of full occlusion for each tooth class. Age of eruption is always earlier in girls than in boys. Lower teeth erupt earlier than upper teeth with the exception of premolars which erupt almost at the same time in girls; in boys upper premolars erupt earlier than lower ones. Ages of gingival eruption are at the lowest extreme of modern humans. The precocity in dental growth contrasts with values for somatic growth in this same population which clearly show a chronology comparable to that observed in non-pygmies groups. Dental growth and somatic growth in Baka pygmies seem to present a weak synchronicity. It is not possible to infer if precocity in dental growth is related to the genetic changes responsible for pygmy phenotype, but our results call to caution about the use of dental age as a proxy for individual growth in groups with reduced body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the difference in crown and pulp dimensions of the mandibular deciduous second molar in males and females using digitized images of bitewing radiographs and image J®. Bitewing radiographs of 48 children (24 males and 24 females) aged 3.69 to 9.46 years were assessed in a retrospective cross sectional study. Bitewings were photographed and Image J® was used to measure crown and pulp area and some linear measurements. A t-test was used to compare the difference between mean dimensions in males and females to zero. There were no statistical differences in the area (hard tissue with pulp and without pulp area) or in the horizontal (mesio distal crown width, pulp and crown width at cervix) or vertical (mesial and distal pulp horn height to occlusal surface) between boys and girls. No difference in the area and measurements of the lower second molar found among boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defects of enamel formation in mammals can be created by crowding in any of the three axes: mesio-distal, labio/bucco-lingual, and vertical. Interproximal and "Darcy's" defects are quite rare and/or do not have a human equivalent, factors that discourage study of their etiology. Only crypt fenestration enamel defects (CFEDs) are common in ancient and modern human as well as nonhuman primates and have clear clinical significance making their study feasible and worthwhile. Recognition that an analogous lesion is created postnatally on maxillary molars of pigs has encouraged us to examine whether an animal model can be developed to better understand this particular form of enamel crowding defect. We compare fenestration defects and CFEDs between 50 Sick Pen pigs, who died naturally, and 20 Controls. Observations were made of the presence, number and size of fenestrations in molar crypts. CFEDs were counted on erupted deciduous last molars and permanent first molars. Signs of being underweight and cranio-dental infection at death were recorded. Sick Pen pigs show significantly more fenestrations at death and CFEDs acquired before death. These conditions co-occur with infection and poor growth. The deep fibers of temporalis muscle lie adjacent to the crypt wall of maxillary molars. We propose that contraction of this muscle during suckling and chewing creates large compressive forces against fenestrated bony surfaces sufficient to have physiological consequences for physically unprotected ameloblasts. While we conclude that a pig model is appropriate to study fenestration-induced enamel defects, this naturalistic experiment leaves unresolved whether osteopenia in pigs, and by extension in human infants, is due to disease and/or malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sphenoid sinus originated from the posterior divisions of the nasal cavity, and during human evolution adapted functionally to other pneumatic cavities. The extent of its pneumatization is very important anthropological characteristic for choosing a proper surgical endoscopic approach in clinical medicine. The aim of this research is to elucidate whether there is a correlation between both, the incidence of pneumatization of different parts of the sphenoid bone and the incidence of protrusion of adjacent neurovascular structures in the aspect of sphenoid sinus type. The study was performed on 51 skulls (=102 sinuses) using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Sphenoid sinuses were classified into 4 types: conchal, presellar, sellar and postsellar. For each type the incidence of pneumatization of greater wings, pterygoid process and planum sphenoidale as well as the incidence of protrusion of maxillary nerve, pterygoid nerve, optic nerve and internal carotid artery were analysed. The prevalence of sinus pneumatization was 2% conchal, 24% presellar, 41% sellar and 33% postsellar. Pneumatization of greater wings occurred in 29% postsellar and 5% sellar; pterygoid process in 38% postsellar and 10% sellar; and planum sphenoidale in 79% postsellar, 60% sellar and 42% presellar sinuses. Protrusion of the maxillary nerve was noted in 32% postsellar and 21% sellar sinuses; and pterygoid nerve in 65% postsellar and 33% sellar sinuses. Protrusion of optic nerve was found in 37% postsellar, 30% sellar and 8% presellar sinuses. Internal carotid artery protrusion was noted in 81% postsellar and 14% sellar sinuses. Significant difference in the incidence of all observed anatomic variations among different sphenoid sinus types was found. Findings of this study suggest that type of sphenoid sinus pneumatization can be valuable for estimating protrusion of important anatomical structures in the sinus cavity and of clinical importance for undertaking surgical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selenodont molars of ruminants erupt with an occlusal morphology that is not yet fully functional and has to be converted to a functional relief by wear. Key variables in functional tooth geometry are the enamel thickness in different locations and the degree of hypsodonty that have evolved in relation to feeding type and the abrasive properties of the diet. To assess morphogenetic variables related to variation of enamel thickness and the degree of hypsodonty in Soay sheep (Ovis ammon f. aries) 27 mandibular and 3 maxillary molars from 11 individuals of known age at death were investigated macroscopically, and by light and scanning electron microscopy. Vital labeling with fluorochromes given at known dates provided a time frame for reconstruction of tooth crown development. An enamel free area is present in unworn cusps on the buccal side of the infundibulum in mandibular and on the palatal side in maxillary molars. Deeper in the infundibulum, enamel is present but its thickness remains much lower buccally/palatally than on the opposite infundibular flank. Enamel thickness at a given crown position is determined by two factors, the mean daily secretion rate and the duration of the secretory lifespan of the respective ameloblasts. The degree of hypsodonty is influenced by variation in enamel extension rate (EER) and crown formation time. In Soay sheep, the cuspal tooth portions exhibit a high EER that also causes a marked advance of the enamel forming front compared to the contemporaneously formed dentine in the cuspal crown portion. Further cervically, the EER markedly decreases, reaching lowest values near the apical enamel border. Both, the differences in enamel thickness and the variation in crown elongation are interpreted as an adaptation to quickly reach a functional occlusal relief post-eruptively, and to maintain it over the remaining life span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system are involved in orofacial physiology, development and malformation. Recently, we could localize components of the IGF system in oral and dental human and rodent tissues. IGF-2 and its high affinity binding protein, IGFBP-6, are important for developmental processes, where they regulate e.g. proliferation. IGFBP-6 has an inhibitory effect on IGF-II. While we already could show the expression of these factors in the adult periodontal ligament, no data concerning their appearance and distribution during human odontogenesis and jaw development were available. Serial sections of decalcified and paraffin-embedded specimens from the jaw regions of human embryos (6th - 22nd gestational week (gw)) were investigated immunohistochemically using mono- and polyclonal antibodies against IGF-2 and IGFBP-6. The results mainly showed a colocalization and an increasing intensity of immunoreactivity with gestational age. Immunostaining could already be demonstrated in the dental lamina and later in the enamelum organ. Strong staining appeared in the enamelum knot and Hertwig's epithelial sheeth (HERS). With the beginning of the 10th gw both factors could be localized in dental papilla and follicle. While Meckel's cartilage was unstained, strong reactivity could be seen in the jaw blastema and in osteoblasts. The results show that IGF-2 and IGFBP-6 are both involved in odontogenesis and orofacial development. Findings in the enamelum knot and HERS indicate a role of IGF-2 in proliferation. Its appearance in the developing jaw bones reveals a function in osteogenesis. The colocalization with IGFBP-6 demonstrates biological interaction with its ligand, thus probably controlling mitogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of cervical vertebrae on lateral cephalograms is used for growth assessment and skeletal age evaluation. Most of skeletal age methods are based on assessment of maturation and shape of the third cervical vertebra (C3). On the other hand, morphological analyses of first and second cervical vertebrae indicate their association with mandibular growth direction. In spite of extensive research about cervical vertebral maturation methods, relationship of C3 vertebral shape and skeletal growth patterns are still not evaluated. The aim of the presented pilot study is to indicate if morphology of the body of the third cervical vertebra can be used for estimating skeletal growth patterns in maxilla and mandible. Lateral cephalograms of 100 healthy children with cervical vertebral maturity stage V (peak in mandibular growth has occurred not later than two years before this stage) were analyzed. Skeletal growth patterns have been evaluated using mandibular angle (Ar-Go-Gn), Bjork polygon (N-S-Ar-Go-Gn), linear difference between maxillar (Sna-Snp) and mandibular length (Go-Gn) and maxilla-mandibular angle (Sna-Snp:Go-Gn). Cervico-vertebral morphology was analyzed using linear measurements of anterior height, posterior height and body concavity of C3. Pearson's linear correlation and analysis of variance was used for comparing cervical morphology and skeletal growth patterns. Anterior body height showed negative but insignificant relationship with mandibular angle. Significant (p <0.034) negative correlation (r = -0.211) was found between posterior height and mandibular angle but not with other skeletal parameters. This study indicates that the posterior height of the third cervical vertebra cannot be used for estimating positional mandibular rotation and maxilla-mandibular horizontal relationship but only for estimating anatomical mandibular rotation and growth of mandibular ramus. Future research should be focused on linear mandibular measurements and C3 antero-posterior body height ratio in different skeletal developmental stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]