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Continuous tooth eruption in Australian aboriginal skulls
P J Danenberg1, R S Hirsch, N G Clarke
1Department of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Tooth wear, not bone loss, explains increased distance between the cemento-enamel junction and alveolar crest. Continuous tooth eruption without alveolar bone movement is the likely cause, impacting periodontal attachment loss measurements.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Forensic Anthropology
- Paleodontology
Background:
- The distance between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and alveolar crest (AC) is used in periodontal studies.
- Traditionally, increased CEJ-AC distance is attributed to bone atrophy or periodontitis.
Observation:
- This study examined 161 Australian Aboriginal skulls, focusing on CEJ-AC distance, tooth wear, gender, measurement site, and age.
- Teeth without dehiscence, periodontitis, or abscesses were selected.
Findings:
- CEJ-AC distance increased with tooth attrition severity.
- Males exhibited greater CEJ-AC distances than females across all wear categories.
- Mesial and lingual measurements were generally larger than distal and buccal ones, respectively.
Implications:
- Continuous tooth eruption without corresponding alveolar bone movement is proposed as the primary explanation.
- Findings challenge the use of CEJ and AC as sole reference points for periodontal attachment loss in anthropological and clinical research.