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Dental pathology in Pongo satyrus borneensis
1Department of Systematics and Ecology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2454, USA.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Older orangutans show significantly higher rates of dental disease, with females experiencing more lesions than males. Diet and local ecology likely influence these dental pathology patterns in wild orangutans.
Area of Science:
- Primate Paleontology
- Dental Anthropology
- Orangutan Ecology
Background:
- The Selenka orangutan collection (1892-1896) offers a unique dataset for studying dental pathology in wild orangutans.
- Analysis of 223 orangutan skulls provides insights into the prevalence and types of dental diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dental pathology in free-ranging orangutans.
- To identify age-related and sex-related differences in dental disease occurrence.
- To explore potential ecological and dietary factors influencing dental health.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 223 orangutan skulls for carious lesions, infections, bone loss, and tooth loss.
- Categorization of specimens by age (subadult, young adult, old adult) and sex.
- Statistical comparison of pathology prevalence across age and sex groups.
Main Results:
- Subadults showed no dental disease; young adults had low prevalence (2%).
- Old adults exhibited significantly higher rates: 6% carious lesions, 26% local infections, 23% horizontal bone loss, 3% tooth loss.
- Old adult females had significantly more local infections and horizontal bone loss than males.
Conclusions:
- Dental pathology prevalence increases significantly with age in orangutans.
- Sex-based differences in dental disease, particularly in older adults, suggest ecological and dietary influences.
- Local ecological factors may also contribute to variations in orangutan dental health.