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Dental reductions and dental caries
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|November 1, 1977
Summary
Dental anomalies like missing hypoconulids and third molars show varied links to cavities. While missing hypoconulids correlate with less caries, third molar agenesis is linked to increased dental caries and extractions.
Area of Science:
- Dental anthropology
- Evolutionary biology
- Cariology
Background:
- Dental anomalies, including hypoconulid absence, third molar agenesis, and reduced tooth size, are associated with dental evolutionary trends.
- The relationship between these dental variations and dental caries prevalence requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between specific dental anomalies (hypoconulid absence, third molar agenesis, small tooth size) and dental caries prevalence.
- To assess the relationship between these anomalies and the need for first molar extraction due to caries.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of caries prevalence in permanent first molars at age 16 in the Burlington Research Centre serial experimental group.
- Comparison of caries rates and extraction frequencies based on the presence or absence of hypoconulids and third molars, and tooth size.
Main Results:
- Lower caries prevalence was observed in children with absent first molar hypoconulids.
- Higher caries prevalence and first molar extraction rates were associated with third molar agenesis.
- Smaller tooth size, particularly four-cusped mandibular first molars, showed reduced caries prevalence.
Conclusions:
- The findings partially support the hypothesis that evolutionary dental reductions are driven by caries pressure, but third molar agenesis contradicts this.
- Hypoconulid and third molar agenesis appear linked to developmental changes independent of caries pressure.