Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Am J Phys Anthropol. 2021 May;175(1):106-127. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.24174. Epub 2020 Nov 27.
Dimorphism in the dentition has been observed in human populations worldwide. However, research has largely focused on traditional linear crown measurements. As imaging systems, such as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), become increasingly more accessible, new dental measurements such as dental tissue size and proportions can be obtained. This research investigates the variation of dental tissues and proportions by sex in archaeological samples.
Upper and lower first incisor to second premolar tooth rows were obtained from 30 individuals (n = 300), from 3 archaeological samples. The teeth were micro-CT scanned and surface area and volumetric measurements were obtained from the surface meshes extracted. Dental wear was also recorded and differences between sexes determined.
Enamel and crown measurements were found to be larger in females. Conversely, dentine and root measurements were larger in males.
The findings support the potential use of dental tissues to estimate sex of individuals from archaeological samples, while also indicating that individuals aged using current dental aging methods may be underaged or overaged due to sex differences in enamel thickness.
牙齿的二态性在全球人类群体中都有观察到。然而，研究主要集中在传统的线性牙冠测量上。随着成像系统（如微计算机断层扫描（micro-CT））变得越来越普及，新的牙齿测量方法，如牙齿组织的大小和比例，都可以获得。本研究通过对 3 个考古样本中的 30 个人（n=300）的上下颌中切牙至第二前磨牙的牙列进行研究，调查了牙齿组织和比例的性别差异。
从 3 个考古样本中获得了 30 个人（n=300）的上下颌中切牙至第二前磨牙的牙列。对牙齿进行 micro-CT 扫描，并从提取的表面网格中获得表面积和体积测量值。同时还记录了牙齿磨损情况，并确定了性别差异。
发现女性的牙釉质和牙冠测量值较大，而男性的牙本质和牙根测量值较大。
研究结果支持了使用牙齿组织来估计考古样本中个体性别的潜在用途，同时也表明，由于牙釉质厚度的性别差异，使用当前牙齿年龄评估方法来评估个体年龄可能会出现低估或高估的情况。
