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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
07:26
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Dental traits: From anthropological foundations to clinical implications
Yukun Yang1, Xue Yang1, Xinyuan Zhang1
1Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
Archives of Oral Biology
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Dental traits, including metric and non-metric variations, offer insights into ancestry and sex determination. These anthropological findings guide personalized dental treatments in orthodontics, prosthodontics, and endodontics.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Dentistry
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Dental traits are crucial in anthropology and dentistry.
- Understanding dental variations aids in diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on dental traits and their clinical implications.
- To provide a scientific basis for personalized dental care.
Main Methods:
- Narrative literature search (1914-June 2026) in major databases.
- Focused on metric/non-metric traits, populational specificity, sexual dimorphism, and clinical applications.
Main Results:
- Dental traits show population-specific and sexual dimorphism.
- These variations are key for ancestry/sex determination.
- Guidance for orthodontic diagnosis, aesthetic restorations, and endodontic/periodontal therapy complexity prediction.
Conclusions:
- Dental traits link anthropology and dentistry.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed for further research.
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