Deciduous tooth size and morphogenetic fields in children from Christ Church, Spitalfields

Deciduous tooth dimensions of a recent archaeological sample of 37 boys, 18 girls and 88 children of unknown sex from London were measured. Mesiodistal (maximum breadth at the contact point) and buccolingual measurements were recorded. A gradient of size variation was apparent with anterior teeth showing the highest variation and second molars the least. In general, the teeth of the children of Spitalfields were smaller than those of other groups from various archaeological and contemporary populations. Fluctuating asymmetry between left- and right-hand sides was greatest for the lateral incisor. Asymmetry of the mesiodistal dimension of the upper central incisor differed significantly from the buccolingual dimension (p < 0.01). Tooth size in both dimensions was generally larger in boys than in girls. The maxillary lateral incisor displayed significant dimorphism in the mesiodistal dimension (p < 0.05). The second molars (both upper and lower) were less variable and less asymmetrical than the first molars, suggesting that the second molar may be the key tooth of the deciduous molar field.