Dimensional and discrete dental trait asymmetry relationships

Area of Science:

• Anthropology
• Paleodontology
• Human Biology

Background:

• Dental asymmetry, both dimensional and morphological, offers insights into developmental processes.
• Previous research suggests varying patterns of asymmetry across different populations and tooth types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify dimensional and morphological dental asymmetry in Inuit (Eskimos) from the Foxe Basin.
• To investigate conformity to tooth field models and Dahlberg's Field Concept.
• To explore associations between dental asymmetry and tooth size.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of dental casts or direct examination of dentitions from the study population.
• Measurement of tooth dimensions to assess dimensional asymmetry.
• Assessment of morphological traits to evaluate morphological asymmetry.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in dimensional asymmetry was observed between maxillary and mandibular teeth.
• Both dimensional and morphological asymmetry showed partial conformity to tooth field models, increasing distally.
• Mandibular incisors presented an exception in morphological asymmetry, aligning with Dahlberg's Field Concept.
• No detectable patterns were found in rank-order correlations between dimensional and morphological asymmetry.
• No association was found between the presence of morphological asymmetry and tooth size.

Conclusions:

• Dental asymmetry in this Inuit population exhibits specific patterns related to tooth position and developmental fields.
• The lack of association between morphological asymmetry and tooth size may relate to differential developmental timing, requiring further investigation.
• Testing hypotheses on random dental asymmetry is challenging due to inherent variability and data limitations.