Topographic variation of the enamel thickness in the human anterior deciduous dentition

Dental enamel thickness (ET) variation is used as an indicator of dietary habits and of (paleo)environmental/ecolological conditions, and, more importantly, as a diagnostic feature for taxonomic assessment and phylogenetic reconstructions. Nonetheless, a purely qualitative estimate is usually given ('thin' vs. 'thick' enamel; at times, the term 'intermediate' is used). This typology bases on observations realized on permanent teeth only (mostly, on cheek teeth). In addition, currently available reference database for ET in primates (including Homo) do not incorporate information on the cross-sectional (and sex-related) variation. Our research project is designed to quantitatively detail (by means of histological and/or noninvasive [mu]CTs techniques) patterns of ET topographic variation of the primary and secondary dentition in a number of extant primate taxa. The human anterior deciduous dentition has been preliminarily considered Two dental samples have been investigated: (i) the Fatina collection, representing 104 healthy individuals known for sex and clinical history, and (ii) the SCR collection, representing 94 individuals from the Imperial Roman cemetery of Isola Sacra. Distinctly for the labial and the lingual aspect, ET has been measured on histological sections at intervals of 200 [mu]mm along the DEJ. On average, 80 measurements have been taken for each crown, allowing the reconstruction of specific profiles of variation. In both samples, remarkable differences have been detected within each tooth-type and among all the teeth. In both upper and lower dentitions, thickening is shown in mesiodistal direction. Fatina and SCR show overlapping patterns of size variation. No statistically significant sex-related difference has been recorded.