Growth of Neanderthal infants from Krapina (120–130 ka), Croatia

Modern humans have a slow and extended period of childhood growth, but to what extent this ontogenetic pathway was present in Neanderthals is debated. Dental development, linked to the duration of somatic growth across modern primates, is the main source for information about growth and development in a variety of fossil primates, including humans. Studies of Neanderthal permanent teeth report a pace of development either similar to recent humans or relatively accelerated. Neanderthal milk teeth, which form and emerge before permanent teeth, provide an opportunity to determine which pattern was present at birth. Here we present a comparative study of the prenatal and early postnatal growth of five milk teeth from three Neanderthals (120 000–130 000 years ago) using virtual histology. Results reveal regions of their milk teeth formed quickly before birth and over a relatively short period of time after birth. Tooth emergence commenced towards the earliest end of the eruption schedules displayed by extant human children. Advanced dental development is consistent with expectations for Neanderthal infant feeding.

Alternative Craniofacial Orthodontics Treatment Approaches for Differential Severity in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip with/without Palate

The treatment of patients with cleft lip with/without cleft palate is still a challenge for its correct team management. The fact that not all clefts are alike, based on anatomical findings and ortho/surgical alternatives used in their correction, requires that clinicians -working in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary teams- direct efforts not only to repair the facial and oral characteristics of the cleft, but also to work in the context of the patient’s craniofacial growth and development, tri-dimensionally affected by this type of craniofacial difference. The first part of this chapter is focused on the diagnostic approach for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), using a modified version of the GOSLON yardstick (GOSLON+) that considers not only dental components but also 3D facial aspects of a complex malocclusion originated from this congenital malformation. Second, current treatment alternatives based on patient’s stages of dental development and cleft width, using either straight-wire or passive self-ligation appliances are presented, directed to avoid dental prosthetic replacements if possible. Finally, our treatment algorithms summarized in a step-by-step fashion the treatment of such differences with approaches that will focus on these two key aspects, essential for a successful, patient-based, interdisciplinary treatment protocol.

The continued development of multiple supernumerary teeth: do they influence orthodontic treatment?

Supernumerary teeth occur in approximately 1–2% of the population. Multiple supernumerary teeth are less common and usually associated with certain medical conditions. Most supernumeraries develop at a similar time to the normal series; however, this article describes the presentation and management of three patients who developed multiple supernumerary teeth during active orthodontic treatment in the permanent dentition. CPD/Clinical Relevance: These cases show development of multiple supernumerary teeth in the both the maxilla and mandible demonstrating a variation of types and effects on the dentition. In particular, multiple supernumeraries in the anterior maxilla and supplementals in the mandibular premolar regions highlight that supernumerary teeth may develop a considerable time after the development of the permanent dentition. These can develop during orthodontic treatment. Consideration, therefore, may be given to closer and longer monitoring of dental development in patients with multiple supernumerary teeth.

Dental Age in Precocious and Delayed Puberty Periods

Objectives Precocious puberty indicates quick growth inception and delayed puberty indicates retardation in growth. This study aims to investigate whether dental development is synchronous with somatic development. Materials and Methods In this study, 62 girls and 34 boys with precocious puberty aged 5 to 9, 29 girls with delayed puberty aged 13 to 16, and 43 boys with delayed puberty aged 14 to 17; 169 children (91 girls and 78 boys) with normal development were compared about their dental ages through their panoramic radiographs by using the Demirjian method and skeletal ages from hand-wrist radiographs by using Greulich-Pyle atlas. Results The findings showed that, in all cases, the dental age values were higher than chronologic and skeletal age values to a statistically significant degree. In the precocious puberty group, the dental age values were higher than chronologic age values to a statistically significant degree. In the delayed puberty group, the difference determined between the chronological age and the dental age was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion Given that the Demirjian method is inclined to make calculations that are higher than the chronological age, our findings suggest that the dental development was faster in the precocious puberty group and retarded in the delayed puberty group.

Rethinking the evidence for early horse domestication at Botai

Despite its transformative impact on human history, the early domestication of the horse (Equus caballus) remains exceedingly difficult to trace in the archaeological record. In recent years, a scientific consensus emerged linking the Botai culture of northern Kazakhstan with the first domestication of horses, based on compelling but largely indirect archaeological evidence. A cornerstone of the archaeological case for domestication at Botai is damage to the dentition commonly linked with the use of bridle mouthpieces, or “bit wear.” Recent archaeogenetic analyses reveal, however, that horse remains from Botai are not modern domesticates but instead the Przewalski’s horse, E. przewalskii—warranting reevaluation of evidence for domestication. Here, we compare osteological traits hypothesized to have been caused by horse transport at Botai with wild Pleistocene equids in North America. Our results suggest that damage observed in Botai horse teeth is likely generated by natural disturbances in dental development and wear, rather than through contact with bridle equipment. In light of a careful reconsideration of the mid-Holocene archaeological record of northern Eurasia, we suggest that archaeological materials from Botai are most effectively explained through the regularized mass harvesting of wild Przewalski’s’ horses—meaning that the origins of horse domestication may lie elsewhere.

Development of the teeth, cervical vertebrae, hand and wrist combined for the estimation of the biological age

This study aims to perform age estimation using three different parameters from dental and skeletal development. The sample consisted of 98 dental records of patients aged from 10 to 16 years old, containing the chronological age and a set of radiographs (panoramic, lateral cephalometric and carpal radiographs) taken in the same day. The biological age was assessed through the dental development from panoramic radiographs according to the Nicodemo's method. The stages of dental development were registered and imported in CRONOL software (UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil), which provided the estimated dental age. The lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed to assess the development of the vertebrae C2, C3 and C4. And carpal radiographs were evaluated according to Fishman's method. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the chronological and estimated age. T-test for unpaired samples was used to compare the normal data. Chi-square test was used to analyze the age in function of sex. Moderate and strong correlations were found between the chronological and biological (estimated) ages for all the methods. Statistically significant differences between the development of males and females were not observed (p>0.05). A linear regression formula was designed to allow age estimates statistically more accurate (p<0.0001). The formula reached an accuracy rate of 71.4%. In general, the methods underestimated the age. The combination of methods led to optimal performances for age estimation. The performances were similar between males and females.