Tooth wear and temporomandibular joint change in Australian aboriginal populations

The masticatory system consists of teeth, temporomandibular joints, and the supporting craniofacial skeleton. The form and function of each of these components of the system can be understood only within the overall context of the system. In a series of studies, the complex relationships between tooth wear and temporomandibular joint morphology and pathology were considered in samples consisting of a total of 58 male and 54 female crania from two Australian Aboriginal populations. The extent and buccolingual direction of tooth wear were assessed using established techniques. Both metric and nonmetric descriptions of temporomandibular joint morphology and pathology were developed. Significant differences in patterns of tooth wear and in the frequencies of various temporomandibular joint changes were evident between sexes and between populations. Furthermore, significant correlations between a number of tooth and joint variables were also evident. In addition, there was clear evidence of relationships between both tooth wear and temporomandibular joint changes and craniofacial morphology. The results of this study provide additional evidence of the complex relationships between the form and function of the masticatory system.