scholarly journals An examination of the differential susceptibility pattern of the dentition to linear enamel hypoplasia

COMPASS ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-69
Author(s):  
Jennifer S Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Tooth Development ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Differential Distribution ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Dental Pathology ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia

Enamel hypoplasia is a dental pathology that forms when an individual is exposed to physiological stress in early life while tooth crowns are developing. Biological anthropologists utilize these enamel defects as indicators of growth interruption and interpret them as reflective of factors pertaining to health status and cultural practices that influence health. Over decades of research, numerous studies have noted a pattern in the distribution of linear enamel hypoplasia across the dentition. It is suggested that the anterior dentition presents the highest frequency of defects, followed by the premolars, with molars most rarely exhibiting hypoplasia. This apparent differential susceptibility pattern has resulted in the preferential study of the anterior dentition in anthropology, however little research has been conducted into the validity or cause of this developmental phenomenon. Through examination of the literature, the observed higher frequency of enam2el hypoplasia in the anterior dentition substantiates the existence of this differential distribution pattern. Further investigation reveals that the cause of this varying susceptibility has not been sufficiently explored, leading to a number of inconclusive explanations. Examination of these theories – ranging from the chronology of tooth development, specifics of crown morphology, and variations in genetic control – indicate that there is no single causal variable, but that a multitude of factors are responsible. From this research it is apparent that further study is necessary to fully understand why the anterior teeth appear to be more susceptible to hypoplastic defects than their posterior counterparts.

scholarly journals A novel approach: combining dental enamel hypoplasia and paleoparasitological analysis in medieval Islamic individuals buried in Santarém (Portugal)

2017 ◽  
pp. 111-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Cunha ◽  
Ana Luísa Santos ◽  
António Matias ◽  
Luciana Sianto
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Dental Enamel ◽  
Optical Microscope ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Long Term Impact

Paleopathological and paleoparasitological studies seek evidences to understand health and disease in past populations. These two approaches are often used independently despite the obvious importance of its complementary. This paper aims to explore the possible relation between a common indicator of childhood stress and infection by intestinal parasites. Thirty adult individuals from the Islamic necropolis of Santarém (9th-12th cent. AD) were macroscopically examined for linear enamel hypoplasia. Sediment from the pelvis and skull of each skeleton were observed under the optical microscope in search of helminth eggs. Hypoplasic defects were identified in 46.67% of the individuals, mostly on canines and incisors. Eggs from Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were identified respectively in 4 and 2 individuals. The Fisher’s exact test was performed to analyze whether the individuals with evidences of stress in early childhood were more prone to helminth infections or death at younger ages. Although these variables were shown to be independent, this exploratory study highlights the contribution of combining paleopathological and paleoparasitological methods to address the long-term impact of the physiological stress exposure in early life on the immune system. Furthermore, variety of factors that could have influenced these results are discussed and interpreted in a biocultural perspective.

scholarly journals Frequency and chronological distribution of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age population from Żerniki Górne (Poland) – preliminary report

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Tomczyk ◽  
Maria Tomczyk-Gruca ◽  
Marta Zalewska
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Early Bronze Age ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Tool Stress ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) is treated as a nonspecific indicator of stress, but even so, many authors consider it the most reliable tool stress in anthropological research. Its analysis allows the reconstruction of health related to the socio-economic status of the group. This study documents and interprets patterns of LEH in Żerniki Górne (Poland), a settlement which was functional in the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. We examined two successive cultures: the Corded Ware Culture (CWC; 3200-2300BC) and the Trzciniec Culture (TC; 1500-1300BC). In total, there were 1486 permanent teeth (124 adult individuals). The frequency of LEH in the examined cultures shows a small rising trend. In these series from Żernik Górne, males showed a higher occurrence of LEH (16.5%) than females (13.4%). The earliest LEH appeared at similar ages at about 2.0/2.2 years and the last LEH occurred at about 4.2 years of age in both cultures. However, it is worth noting that periods associated with physiological stress were more common but not very long (four months on average) in the CWC. Longer stress periods (nine months on average) were associated with the TC.

Dental Modifications of Anterior Teeth in the Danish Viking Age

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verner Alexandersen ◽  
Niels Lynnerup
Keyword(s):  
Viking Age ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia

Inspired by previous finds of filed, likely ornamental grooves on upper incisors of Swedish and Danish male Vikings, a Viking sample from Denmark (ca. AD 800–1050) was studied (M=69, F=45, 90=?). We found evidence of modifications that could be distinguished from normal wear and linear enamel hypoplasia. In 24 individuals single or multiple filed horizontal grooves occurred on labial surfaces of the central upper incisors and some lateral incisors (22/159 or 13.8 percent). All grooves were inconspicuous and shallow, and other unrelated worn labial facets were found. This occurrence is unlike the grooves in male Swedish Vikings. The variation observed, as well as experiments with iron files and whetstones, leads us to suggest that the Danish Viking grooves could be made intentionally but more often developed as a result of task activities. 

scholarly journals Sex diff erences in Late Iron Age Northeast Estonia as indicated in dental pathologies and enamel hypoplasia

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-80
Author(s):  
Jana Limbo
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Alveolar Bone ◽  
Sexual Differences ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Hard Tissue ◽  
Late Iron Age ◽  
Dental Pathology ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Metabolic Stresses

Study of dental pathologies is important in investigating the health and diets of past populations. Dental pathologies of adult peoples show nutritional and hygienic habits in adulthood, but childhood metabolic stresses can be observed in the occurrence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH). Dental hard tissue pathologies (caries, pre mortem tooth loss, abscesses, calculus, reduction of alveolar bone, molar attrition) and LEH were observed over 15 years in individuals from Jõuga cemetery (11th–16th cc. Northeast Estonia). The aim of the study was to trace sexual differences in diet and subsistence patterns through an analysis of dental pathology.

scholarly journals Developmental stress in South African hominins: Comparison of recurrent enamel hypoplasias in Australopithecus africanus and Homo naledi

2019 ◽  
Vol 115 (5/6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark F. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Developmental Stress ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Enamel Defects ◽  
Australopithecus Africanus ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Equatorial Africa ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Digital Microscope

Discovery of a new hominin (Homo naledi) in the same geographical area as Australopithecus africanus creates the opportunity to compare developmental dental stress in higher latitude hominins with low that in latitude apes, among whom repetitive linear enamel hypoplasia (rLEH) recurs seasonally at about 6 or 12 months. In contrast to equatorial Africa, a single rainy/dry cycle occurs annually in non-coastal southern Africa. It is predicted that LEH will recur annually but not differ in duration between ancient and more recent hominins. Data were collected from epoxy casts of anterior teeth attributed to H. naledi (18 incisors, 13 canines) and A. africanus (29 incisors, 8 canines) using a digital microscope, surface scanner and scanning electron microscope. The location, number, width, depth and distance between defects (including perikymata counts and spatial measurements) of 136 LEH events were compared among crown moieties (deciles 4–6 and 7–9), tooth types and taxa. Enamel defects are concentrated in the cervical half of anterior crowns, and in similar numbers in each taxon. Contrary to expectations, H. naledi show bimodal LEH durations reconstructed at about 2 and 8 weeks compared to just 4 weeks in A. africanus. Both taxa show bimodally recurrent episodes of LEH centring on 2 and, more commonly and severely, 6 months. A combination of two independent annual stressor types, one disease and one seasonal, could explain the observations. These estimations of duration and recurrence of developmental stress require evaluation using actual perikymata periodicity for H. naledi and more refined understanding of palaeoenvironments for both taxa. Significance: Seasonal stress is a central concern in the biological and health sciences. Because of the innate way that enamel is deposited, the timing of stress in the childhood of apes, modern humans and their fossil ancestors can be measured with a precision of about 1 week. Application of this method to South African Pliocene Australopithecus africanus and Mid-Pleistocene Homo naledi reveals that, unexpectedly, both forms show semi-annual stress – a finding that is tentatively attributed to two independent annual stressors, possibly disease and malnutrition.

scholarly journals Dietary and behavioral inferences from dental pathology and non-masticatory wear on dentitions from a British medieval town

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Towle ◽  
Carole Davenport ◽  
Joel D. Irish ◽  
Isabelle De Groote
Keyword(s):  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Central Incisor ◽  
Maxillary Central Incisor ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Dental Pathology ◽  
Carious Lesions ◽  
Antemortem Tooth Loss ◽  
Time Periods

AbstractDental pathology and wear data can provide valuable insights into diet, cultural practices, and the health of populations. In this study, various dental pathologies and types of wear were recorded for 41 individuals (914 permanent teeth), excavated from the medieval cemetery of St. Owens Church in Southgate Street, Gloucester. Teeth were studied macroscopically with a 10x hand lens to confirm the presence of specific pathologies. Relatively high rates of antemortem chipping on the anterior teeth, and the presence of maxillary central incisor notches, suggested that the Gloucester population commonly used their teeth for non-masticatory activities. Abscessing and antemortem tooth loss fell within previously reported ranges for British medieval sites (2.6% and 6% respectively). However, the sample exhibits extremely high levels of carious lesions and calculus. Nearly 24% of teeth have at least one carious lesion, and the presence of calculus was recorded in 74% of teeth within the sample. Overall caries frequency is similar to sites from later time periods. This frequency may reflect Gloucester’s location as a large port town. Remains from the same area, but the earlier Roman period, also shows high rates of both caries and calculus, suggesting a continuation of consuming certain cariogenic foods is likely.

scholarly journals Porcelain veneer for a simple and esthetic treatment on anterior teeth with enamel hypoplasia: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Juni Jekti Nugroho ◽  
Andi Hermianti Aco
Keyword(s):  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Tooth Development ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Restorative Treatment ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Labial Surface

Introduction: the esthetic factor should be considered for every patient who seeks a comprehensive dental treatment, especially for women. The anterior teeth deformities will diminish the levels of confidence and decrease self-esteem of the patients. The tooth development disturbances, such as enamel hypoplasia, may present an esthetic problem. Enamel hypoplasia is an alteration of organic matrix formation which characterized by the defect or porosity on the enamel surface. It can be restored with a variety of restorative treatment options including indirect porcelain veneers. Case: a 30 years old female patient was referred with chief complaint of anterior teeth discoloration. Clinical examination on the maxillary left central and lateral incisors revealed the defects on nearly half of the labial surface. Case management: the incisal lapping technique were chosen to prepared teeth #21 and #22 for indirect porcelain veneer fabrications. Conclusion:  indirect porcelain veneers established an excellent esthetic result and restored the size, shape and color of anterior teeth with long term stability.

scholarly journals Enamel hypoplasia in a Mesolithic (5900±100 BC) individual from Woźna Wieś (Poland): a case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Tomczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Ostrowska
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Adult Individual ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Anthropological Research ◽  
The Right ◽  
Present Case Study

Abstract Modern anthropological research includes very sophisticated diagnostic methods. They allow us to obtain information that has not been available so far. The aim of this paper is to analyze, using current microscopic technologies, the Mesolithic dental material of one adult individual from Woźna Wieś (Poland). The present case study will focus on the analysis of enamel hypoplasia. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to count the number of perikymata building on the hypoplastic line. Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) was diagnosed only on the right mandibular canine. The time of occurrence of environmental disturbance was estimated between about 4.2 and 4.9 years of age. The occlusal wall built the enamel hypoplasia with no more than three to four perikymata, meaning that the physiological stress had to have occurred over a fairly short period of time (about 30-40 days).

scholarly journals Enamel Hypoplasia Related to Historical Famine Stress in the Contemporary Chinese Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Liming Zhou ◽  
Robert S. Corruccini
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Developmental Stress ◽  
Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Enamel Formation ◽  
Linear Enamel Hypoplasia ◽  
Contemporary Chinese

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a defect in enamel formation, has been frequently attributed to malnutrition and other physiological stress during periods of enamel development (Sarnat and Schour, 1941; Kreshover, 1960). LEH has been widely used as an indicator of developmental stress in skeletal studies among historic and prehistoric populations (Goodman et al., 1980; Corruccini et al., 1985; Goodman and Rose, 1990). A study of 3,014 subjects in 26 birth-year cohorts, samples from urban and rural communities of China, indicated that significant differences in LEH frequencies occurred between persons whose teeth developed during the famine years (1959-1961) and those whoe teeth calcified during non-famine years. This result points to a causal link between enamel hypoplasia and childhood nutritional stress at the population level, and casts some light on the magnitude and effects of the little-documented Chinese famine. 

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