Related Experiment Videos
Growth tracks in dental enamel
1Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, N-0316, Norway. steinarr@odont.uio.no
Journal of Human Evolution
|October 17, 1998
Summary
Dental enamel growth tracks reveal daily and longer rhythms in tooth formation. These incremental lines offer valuable insights into chronological mapping of dental development in hominids.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Developmental Biology
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- Dental enamel microstructure records developmental events.
- Ameloblast activity and physico-chemical factors influence enamel crystal organization.
- Prisms represent fossilized ameloblast tracks, with size increasing towards the enamel surface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate enamel growth tracks as tools for chronological mapping of dental development, particularly in hominids.
- To understand the temporal and spatial patterns in tooth morphogenesis using enamel microstructure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of enamel microstructure, including prism geometry and incremental lines (Retzius lines).
- Microscopic examination of mature enamel to infer events during enamel formation.
- Quantification of enamel production rates and identification of rhythmic patterns.
Main Results:
- Prism cross-striations suggest a diurnal rhythm in enamel formation.
- Human enamel shows a mean daily production rate of approximately 3.5 microns.
- Retzius lines indicate incremental rhythms, with evenly spaced lines suggesting a 6-11 day cycle, and others potentially linked to stress.
Conclusions:
- Enamel growth tracks and their chronological significance are valuable for mapping dental development.
- Understanding enamel microstructure aids in deciphering temporal and spatial patterns of tooth morphogenesis.
- Further research is needed to clarify the taxonomic significance of prism packing, decussation, and enamel thickness.