Malocclusion from the prehistoric to the medieval times in Serbian population: Dentoalveolar and skeletal relationship comparisons in samples.

The aims of this study were to reconstruct and analyze dental occlusion and skeletal jaw relationship in samples from Mesolithic-Neolithic, Bronze Age, Roman and Medieval times in Serbia, to compare results and to determine possible direction of the occlusal changes. Anatomically preserved skulls with mandibles and most of the posterior teeth were included in the investigation. Dental occlusion was reconstructed using the position of centric occlusion and centric relation and analyzed according to Angle's classification. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced manually. Site differences were tested by one-way ANOVA, while sex, age and site impacts were analyzed by UNIANOVA. Most of the individuals in all groups had Class I occlusion. Half-cusp distal occlusion was also present in all groups, but there were no significant differences between the groups. Cephalometric analysis showed no differences in the sagittal measurements, almost all individuals had skeletal Class I jaw relationship. Vertical traits analysis revealed markedly decreased basal plane angle and also decreased posterior facial height and sum of the posterior angles in the oldest group in comparison to the later groups. These results indicate that in the Serbian skeletal sample from the Mesolithic-Neolithic to the Medieval times, malocclusions were present in the form of dentoalveolar Class II occlusion. Skeletal deep bite was found in the oldest group, while horizontal growth pattern decreased from prehistoric to the Medieval times. Samples were too small to confirm environmental impact on the vertical skeletal discrepancies.

Prevalence of dental paleopathology in a peruvian pre-hispanic population / Prevalencia de paleopatologías dentales en una población prehispánica peruana

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental paleopathologies in a Peruvian prehispanic population. Material and Method: A descriptive, observational and transversal study was carried out. The sample consisted of 106 skeletal remains of pre-hispanic inhabitants, over 18 years of age, found in the El Brujo - Magdalena de Cao Archaeological Complex, Lambayeque - Peru. The selection criteria were defined and the presence of dental caries, malocclusion, crowding, dental anomalies of direction and site, age and sex of each bone was assessed using a data collection instrument designed for that purpose. Results: The sample showed presence of dentin caries (62.3%), enamel caries (37.7%), Class I malocclusion (76.4%), Class II malocclusion (4.7%), Class III malocclusion (4.7%), maxillary crowding (15.1%), mandibular crowding (19.8%), crowding in both jaws (13.2%), gyroversion (20.8%), vestibule-versions (15.1%), linguo-versions (17.9%) and dental transposition (5.7%). Conclusion: The results show a high prevalence of caries and malocclusions in this Peruvian pre-hispanic population.

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de paleopatologías dentales en una población prehispánica peruana. Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal cuya muestra estuvo conformada por 106 restos óseos de habitantes prehispánicos, mayores de 18 años, hallados en el Complejo Arqueológico El Brujo ­ Magdalena de Cao, Lambayeque ­ Perú. Se definieron los criterios de selección y se evaluó la presencia de caries dental, maloclusión, apiñamiento, anomalías de dirección, anomalías de sitio, edad y género de cada uno de los restos óseos utilizando un instrumento de recolección de datos destinado para tal fin. Resultados: La muestra mostró presencia de caries de dentina (62.3%), caries de esmalte (37.7%), maloclusión clase I (76.4%), maloclusión clase II (4.7%), maloclusión clase III (4.7%), apiñamiento en el maxilar superior (15.1%), apiñamiento mandibular (19.8%), apiñamiento en ambos maxilares (13.2%), giroversiones (20.8%), vestíbulo-versiones (15.1%), linguo-versiones (17.9%) y transposición dental (5.7%). Conclusión: Los resultados demuestran una alta prevalencia de caries y maloclusiones en la población peruana prehispánica.

The study of dental occlusion in ancient skeletal remains from Mallorca (Spain): A new approach based on dental clinical practice.

Occlusal characteristics, fundamental to assess the presence of malocclusion, have been often unexplored in bioarchaeological analyses. This is largely due to the fragmented condition of the skeletal remains. By applying a method that considers dental and maxillary features useful to evaluate occlusion in ancient fragmentary material, the purpose of this work is to define the occlusal features and explore the causes of malocclusion in a mediaeval population from Mallorca. The findings of this study suggest that normocclusion was present in ca. 60% of the individuals (N=31), and that some characteristics, such as molar relationship, were slightly different from those of modern populations. The analysis of the occlusal features revealed for example that open-bite was absent in 85% of the sample, posterior open-bite was completely absent and overbite and overjet were normal in around 90% of the individuals. Statistically significant correlations between canine and molar relationships and between molar relationship and dental wear of the superior and inferior canines and incisors were observed. In addition, wear could affect the curve of Spee. All these findings strengthen the hypothesis that in ancient times malocclusion was not as generalized as in modern times. Although the factors that lead to malocclusion throughout centuries could have several causes, we suggest that in this population dental wear, which is strongly associated with the diet, was the fundamental causing factor.

Extractions, retention and stability: the search for orthodontic truth.

Background and objectives: From the beginnings of modern orthodontics, questions have been raised about the extraction of healthy permanent teeth in order to correct malocclusions. A hundred years ago, orthodontic tooth extraction was debated with almost religious intensity by experts on either side of the issue. Sheldon Friel and his mentor Edward H. Angle both had much to say about this controversy. Today, after significant progress in orthodontic practice, similar arguments are being voiced between nonextraction expansionists and those who see the need for tooth extractions in some orthodontic patients. Furthermore, varying concepts of mechanical retention of treatment results have evolved over the years which have been misinterpreted as enhancing natural orthodontic stability. Materials and methods: In this essay, representing the Ernest Sheldon Friel Memorial Lecture presented in 2016 at the 92nd Congress of the European Orthodontic Society, a full spectrum of evidence from biology, anthropology and history is critically discussed in the search for truth among highly contested orthodontic variables: extraction versus nonextraction, fixed retention versus limited retention, and rationalized stability versus biological homeostasis. Conclusions and implications: Conscientious clinicians should try to develop individualized treatment plans for their patients, and not be influenced by treatment 'philosophies' with untested claims in clinical orthodontics.

Forty years of national surveys: An overview of children's dental health from 1973-2013.

INTRODUCTION: The first national survey of children's dental health in England and Wales was carried out in 1973. Subsequent surveys, in 1983, 1993 and 2003, included all United Kingdom health departments. The 2013 survey involved England, Wales and Northern Ireland. AIM: To consider all five surveys, from 1973 to 2013, so as to summarise trends in the dental health of children in the UK over the last 40 years. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The 2013 survey was commissioned by the Health &Social Care Information Centre and all surveys used data collected during dental examinations conducted in schools on a random sample of children by NHS dentists, together with a questionnaire to parents of those children. In 2013, a pupil questionnaire for 12- and 15-year-olds was introduced, to complement information received from parents and carers. RESULTS: A total of 69,318 children, aged 5-15 years, were involved, from 1973-2013. Caries prevalence has reduced from 72% to 41% in 5-year-olds, and from 97% to 46% in 15-year-olds in 40 years. Changes in periodontal disease, orthodontic treatment, accidental damage to anterior teeth, tooth surface loss and enamel defects, are also summarised. Behavioural and attitudinal characteristics observed in the 2013 report are listed. CONCLUSIONS: Caries is now concentrated in a minority of children. The prevalence of gingivitis has not changed a great deal in 40 years. About half of those children assessed 'in orthodontic need' receive treatment.

In search of our direct ancestor an anthropological and orthodontic summary.

This paper reviews the development of human facial anatomy in H Erectus, Neanderthal and modern man. Modern orthodontic measurements are used to compare different jaw size and relationships.

Occlusal variation in the Zuni: a pre-contact North American population.

BACKGROUND: Reports of occlusal variation in ancient populations consistently show a low prevalence of malocclusion coupled with heavy attritive wear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dentitions of 28 individual remains from a pre-contact native North American population were examined and the extent and nature of occlusal variation recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion was low (mean IOTN = 2.14) and where crowding existed, was limited to intraarch variability as opposed to inter-arch discrepancies. Increased overbites, overjets and other classical features of Class II malocclusions were almost entirely absent. These findings suggest that the ideal mutually protected Class I occlusion occurs only as a transient juvenile arrangement in nature, where, due to rapid attrition fo lowing establishment of the occlusion, there is an increasing tendency towards mild Class Ill, edge-to-edge incisor and buccal segment relationships. CONCLUSION: Whilst of limited therapeutic benefit, an understanding of the anthropology of malocclusion provides an insightful perspective, and suggests that function may be of more importance than heredity in its aetiology. It is suggested that future occlusal studies in ancestral populations would benefit from the use of a standard methodology.

[The role of occlusion and extraction in orthodontics. Historical overview]. / Az occlusio és az extrakció szerepe a fogszábalyozásban. Történelmi áttekintés.

Occlusion is important in each unit of dentistry. The authors describe not only the meaning of normal occlusion and dysgnathy but also the historical background focusing on the most important orthodontists, their achievements and literary works. This article gives an overview of the development of orthodontics from the very beginning (ancient times) to nowadays. The most important figures of these periods are: P. Fauchard, F. C. Kneisel, E. H. Angle, C. Case (dark ages); C. F. Ballard, P. R. Begg, C. H. Tweed (golden ages); L. F. Andrews and R. H. Roth (contemporary period). Along these three eras development and changing of the extraction-principles are shown. Nowadays the orthodontists still use Angle's classification and orthodontic treatment with extraction is also accepted. However it is not a separate treatment method, but only used as complement treatment. The authors stress on the importance of normal occlusion, which should be result of every orthodontic, but also prothetic and gnathological treatment.

Malocclusions in Xia Dynasty in China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of malocclusion in modern population is higher than that in the excavated samples from the ancient times. Presently, the prevalence of juvenile malocclusion in the early stage of permanent teeth is as high as 72.92% in China. This study aimed to observe and evaluate the prevalence and severity of malocclusions in a sample of Xia Dynasty in China, and to compare these findings with the modern Chinese population. METHODS: The material consisted of 38 male and 18 female protohistoric skulls of Xia Dynasty 4000 years ago. Of 86 dental arches, 29 cases had the jaw relationships. Tooth crowding, diastema, individual tooth malposition and malocclusion were studied. RESULTS: Of the samples, 23.3% showed tooth alignment problems including crowding (8.1%), diastema (9.3%), and individual tooth malposition (5.8%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 27.6%, mainly presented as Angle Class I. CONCLUSIONS: It is indicated that over thousands of years from Neolithic Age (6000 - 7000 years ago) to Xia Dynasty (4000 years ago), the prevalence of malocclusion did not change significantly. The prevalence of malocclusion of Xia Dynasty samples was much lower than that of modern population.

Orthodontic anomalies and malocclusions in Late Antique and Early Mediaeval period in Croatia.

OBJECTIVE: Malocclusions are relative infrequently analysed in bioarchaeological investigations and if investigated the samples are very small. This research provides analysis of orthodontic anomalies of even 1118 individuals from the Late Antique (LA) and Early Mediaeval (EM) period. Aims were to describe the prevalence of orthodontic anomalies in this historical period and to analyse which orthodontic anomalies are best suitable for bioarchaeological investigations. METHODS: 1118 skulls were examined for anomalies of tooth number, tooth displacement (rotation, malposition, diastema and crowding) as well as for malocclusions. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypodontia in the LA was 41.02% and 30.61% in the EM sample. Tooth displacement was noticed in 15.63% individuals from the LA and in 12.42% individuals from EM. About 26% of the LA sample and 7.19% of the EM sample were affected with tooth crowding and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic anomalies affecting only one tooth or group of teeth are more suitable for examination in bioarchaeological investigations than orthodontic features requiring presence of both jaws and all or almost all teeth. Clinical investigation protocols and methodology should be adopted for bioarchaeological researches and international standards and recommendations should be established for this kind of investigation on skeletal remains.

The contributions of Edward H. Angle to dental public health.

The genius of Edward Hartley Angle, (1855-1930), the founder of the dental specialty of orthodontics, to create order from chaos in the study and treatment of positional discrepancies of the teeth, jaws and face advanced greatly the cause of dental public health. Angle's innovations that had the most public health impact were (1) his identification of dental occlusion, not simply tooth irregularity, as a prime concern, (2) his development of an uncomplicated classification system for occlusal conditions, (3) his introduction of prefabricated orthodontic appliances and (4) his framing of orthodontics as a dental specialty by organizing the world's first educational program to train orthodontists.

Origins of dental crowding and malocclusions: an anthropological perspective.

The study of ancient Egyptian skeletons from Amarna, Egypt reveals extensive tooth wear but very little dental crowding, unlike in modern Americans. In the early 20th century, Percy Raymond Begg focused his research on extreme tooth wear coincident with traditional diets to justify teeth removal during orthodontic treatment. Anthropologists studying skeletons that were excavated along the Nile Valley in Egypt and the Sudan have demonstrated reductions in tooth size and changes in the face, including decreased robustness associated with the development of agriculture, but without any increase in the frequency of dental crowding and malocclusion. For thousands of years, facial and dental reduction stayed in step, more or less. These analyses suggest it was not the reduction in tooth wear that increased crowding and malocclusion, but rather the tremendous reduction in the forces of mastication, which produced this extreme tooth wear and the subsequent reduced jaw involvement. Thus, as modern food preparation techniques spread throughout the world during the 19th century, so did dental crowding. This research provides support for the development of orthodontic therapies that increase jaw dimensions rather than the use of tooth removal to relieve crowding.