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Updated: May 13, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Macrodontia, shovel-shaped incisors, and multituberculism: probable Ekman-Westborg-Julin trait
Gayle Tieszen Reardon1, L Rebecca Slayton, Clinton Norby
1Oral Radiology, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA. gtrdds@aol.com
Abstract:
Multiple macrodontia is a rare finding and is defined as a condition in which a tooth is significantly larger than normal. Macrodontia may occur as an isolated finding, part of a group of dental anomalies, or as a component of a syndrome with multiple oral and systemic manifestations. The purpose of this paper was to report a case of macrodontia affecting all permanent teeth and exhibiting shovel-shaped maxillary and mandibular incisors and multituberculate molars and premolars. Some or all of this patient's characteristics have been reported in both males and females, with a ratio of 5:2. No inheritance pattern has been established, as these traits have generally occurred spontaneously. As more individuals are identified and as molecular techniques continue to advance, it is probable that a gene or genes responsible for macrodontia and the associated traits will be identified.
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