Bioarchaeology on Human Dental Remains - Essay Example

Bioarchaeologists on Human Dental Remains Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 3 II. Importance of Dental Development in Determining the Age ……….. 4 III. Determining the Sex from Archaeological Skeletal and Human Dental Remains ………………………………………………. 5 a. Archaeological Human Skeletal Remains …………………... 5 b. Human Dental Remains ……………………………………… 6 IV. The Use of Human Dental Remains in Determining an Individual’s Past Occupation …………………………………………. 7 V. Human Dental Remains Reflects an Individual’s Medical Condition and Treatments …………………………………… 8 a. Medical Condition …………………………………………… 8 b. Treatment and Medication ………………………………….. 9 VI. Human Dental Remains Reflects an Individual’s Lifestyle / Habits … 9 VII. Conclusion …………………………………………………………… 10 References …………………………………………………………….……… 11 - 16 Introduction Bioarchaeology, the study of human remains from an archaeological setting particularly the human bones and dental development, aims to determine the history of human adaptations according to a diverse environmental, economic status, and social contexts. Since bones and teeth are parts of the human body that do not decompose for a long period of time, bioarchaeologists are some of the few individuals who takes time in studying the human bone and teeth remains. The compilation and assembly of the human skeletal inventory enables Bioarchaeologists to determine the number of individuals present in a single burial area. It is possible to identify whether the human bone remain is composed of an infant to be present with an adult(s), or an adult alone. (Janaway et al., 2001; 202 – 204) Other detailed information that can be gathered from human bone remains includes the height of an individual and the possible causes of death such as cut-marks, abrasions or surface etching on the bones among others. However, there is a limitation in the study of human bone remains. Bone assembly is not enough to determine the sex information of an individual. (Stini, 1985) Due to the limitations in study the human bone remains, the use of human dentition in personal identification of the victims of violence, accidents, disaster, homicides, suicides, or other unfortunate events such as fire is commonly used and is widely accepted. (Jones, 1998) It is possible to conduct a personal identification of deceased individuals in two ways: (1) by comparing the antemortem (before death) dental records with the human dental remains; and (2) by collecting and recording the postmortem (after death) dental profile which will be used in comparing with the antemortem records. (Sweet and DiZinno, 1996) Postmortem dental profiling enables Bioarchaeologists to stay focused in the search for the antemortem record which normally contains information related to the deceased’s age, ancestry background, sex, and socio-economic status. In some cases, the antemortem record also provides information concerning the deceased’s occupation, habitual behaviours, dietary habits, and dental or systemic diseases. In line with the importance of studying the importance of human dental remains, this study will identify the importance of dental development in determining the approximate age of an individual; the difference in determining the sex of an individual based on archaeological skeletal and human dental remains; the use of human dental remains in determining an individual’s past occupation, medical condition and treatments, as well as a person’s lifestyle and habits. Importance of Dental Development in Determining the Age In case of man-made crimes and natural disaster wherein the human body of an unidentified individual is in the process of decomposition, bioarcheaologists look at details on teeth in order to identify the person according to the person’s dental records. Studying the structure and dental development is also used in determining the approximate age of a long-time buried individual whether the person(s) is an adult or a child including the general state of health. (Driscoll, n.d.) It is possible for bioarchaeologists to investigate the number and position of teeth as well as the type of dental cavities present as a way to assess the overall health condition of an individual. The study of human bone remains could also be used in determining the approximate age of a buried individual. However, it is possible for erosion to take place over a long period of time. Unlike the study of human bone remains, the development of dental structure is considered to be the most accurate means of determining the age of an individual at the time of death among individuals who have not yet reached the dental maturity. By paying close attention to the human dental remains, bioarchaeologists could determine the genetic factors of a person is useful in analyzing the lifestyle and living condition of an individual. In order to investigate on determining the age of an individual at the time of death, it is possible for bioarchaeologist to examine the stage of dental development as well as the eruption of teeth either visually or with the use of radiographic images in order to observe the root development and the un-erupted teeth (Hillson, 1996; Ch. 5) or the incremental growth structures of teeth by conducting a microstructural investigation (Fitzgerald and Rose, 2000). Bioarchaeologists should consider that the eruption of teeth is not a reliable source of information. The best source of information is to study the formation stage of teeth and its root by going through a radiological examination. Specifically the study of Ubelaker (1989) and Gustafson and Koch (1974) links biological dental development with chronological age wherein both the genetic and environmental factors has been considered. Determining the Sex from Archaeological Skeletal and Human Dental Remains Archaeological Human Skeletal Remains Several studies discussed by Scheuer (2002), Saunders (2000; 138 – 141), Molleson et al. (1998), and Schutkowski (1993) stated that it is possible to determine the sex in juvenile individuals. However, there are no acceptable standards when it comes to sex identification. According to Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994; 15), the shape of skull and the pelvis are used in determining the sex of human bone remains. In doing so, it is necessary to determine the age of an individual since it is possible for post-menopausal females to develop a more masculine cranial morphology whereas young men in general have gracile and feminine features. (Walker, 1995) On the other hand, age-related changes in the morphology of the pelvis may either represent either a male or a pre-pubescent female. All these factors can be very misleading in terms of determining the sex of an individual based on the human bone remains. It is possible to use DNA analysis as a method of determining the sex of an individual but this method is too expensive. (Brown, 2000; Stone, 2000) Human Dental Remains Determine the sex or gender of an individual using odontometric analyses is less costly than conducting a DNA analysis on the human bone remains. With some exception to the rule, specifically the mandibular canine index is used to determine the sex. (Muller et al., 2001; Rao et al. 1986) Except for children, the mandibular canine of males is larger as compared with the females. (Lund and Mornstad, 1999) A lot of researchers agree that the measurement in the size of a tooth or the assessment of the morphology is not sufficient or accurate as a forensic identification. (Kieser and Groeneveld, 1989) It is possible to use a microscopic method in examining the pulp tissue since ‘Barr bodies’ is present only in females. (Dutty, Waterfield, and Skinner, 1991) Another way of determining the sex is to conduct a PCR analysis of DNA on a dental pulp and analysis of the amelogenin gene. (Pretty and Sweet, 2001) The Use of Human Dental Remains in Determining an Individual’s Past Occupation Many diseases that are caused by occupational hazards could either result in staining of tooth or in the loss of the hard dental tissues such as abrasion, erosion, and tooth decay. For this reason, the study of human dental remains can be used in determining the past occupation of an individual. Backanek et al. (1999) and Tuominen and Tuominen (1991) stated that it is possible for people working in flour millers, stone grinders, and manufacturers of cement to exhibit tooth substance loss which could lead to the exposure of the dentine and pulp complex. People working within an acidic environment particularly the wine tasters or workers in chemical manufacturing companies such as sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and citric acid among others to either exhibit some dissolution on the enamel and dentine (Gray, Ferguson, and Wall, 1998; Chaudhry, Harris, and Challacombe, 1997; Ferguson et al., 1996; Peterson and Gormsen, 1991) or erosion on the bucall or labial surface of the teeth (Zero, 1996). People who experience frequent vomiting may show a sign of erosion on the surface of palatal. Whereas those individual working in confectionery trade such as candy makers or sugar refineries may show some signs of dissolution on the enamel caused by sugar which are metabolized by the acidogenic bacteria. (Frencken et al., 1989) The erosion of teeth is primarily caused by sugar deposit that stagnates on the buccal and/or labial surface of the teeth. Lastly, individuals working close to manufacturers of superphosphate fertilizers, hydrogen peroxide or cryolite manufacturing companies may contain fluorosis that causes discolouration on the teeth. (Grandjean, 1982) Human Dental Remains Reflects an Individual’s Medical Condition and Treatments Medical Condition Post-mortem dental exhibits the medical condition of an individual by examining dental erosion that tends to occur on the palatal surface of the teeth. (Scheutzel, 1996) Health concerns such as the presence of a gastro-intestinal condition like hiatus hernia (Scheutzel, 1996), gastric ulcers and reflux diseases (Jailwala and Shaker, 2000; Bartlett, Evans and Smith, 1996) could cause palatal erosion on the maxillary teeth. (Bartlett et al., 2000; Schroeder et al., 1995) Particularly the gastric acid with pH level lower than one causes the erosion. Individuals that used to have eating disorders causing self-induced vomiting such as bulimia (Bartlett and Smith, 1994; Rytomaa et al., 1998), anorexia (Roberts and Tylenda, 1989), and rumination – an eating disorder wherein a person voluntarily regurgitate either by re-swallowing or expelling the ingested food (Bucolo, 1987; Robb, Cruwys and Smith, 1991) may also experience dental erosion. Most of the individuals who have eating disorders are adolescent girls. There is also an increase in the number of cases seen on teenage males. (Haller, 1992) Frequent vomiting that is not caused by eating disorders could be associated with chronic alcoholics. (Smith and Robb, 1989) Some medical conditions leads to a unique coloration of the dental hard tissue. For instance, neonatal jaundice could result to either green or yellowish brown stain on the teeth which is associated with the disturbance in the development of the enamel. (Herbert and Delcambre, 1987) Based on some studies, it is the bile pigments that are deposited in the developing enamel and dentine that causes this kind of staining. (Herbert and Delcambre, 1987) On the other hand, a congenital porphyria which is also known as ‘Gunther’s Disease’ is a rare congenital disease due to an error in porphyryin metabolism that leads to haemolytic anaemia, photosensitivity including the production of reddish-brown pigmentation on the teeth as well as in bones. This kind of staining is normally visible on non-aesthetic surfaces. (Fayle and Pollard, 1994; Pindborg, 1982) Treatment and Medication Particularly the intake of iron supplements and the use of mouthwash containing chlorhexidine could result to either black or brown staining of the teeth. (Dodd et al., 1998; Addy et al., 1995) This kind of stain, together with a poor oral hygiene, is very difficult to remove. Human Dental Remains Reflects an Individual’s Lifestyle / Habits Cigarette or pipe smoking habit, drinking coffee and tea are some of the most common cause of extrinsic stains on the teeth. Since pipe smokers normally place the pipe stem in the same location, the wearing pattern is expected to be visible only in one area which is associated with nicotine stains and some soft tissue appearance. Drinking coffee and tea also causes some discolouration on the teeth. Habitual clenching of teeth could result to occlusal wear while drinking of soda or highly sweetened carbonated drinks could increase the risks of caries with some abrasion of the teeth. The combination of frequent drinking of carbonated drinks and the constant grinding of teeth increases the deterioration of tooth tissue causing a profound wear of teeth in young individuals. Conclusion The study of human dental remains is important in identifying a deceased individual especially when a deceased individual is burnt or is already in the process of decomposition making it impossible to identify the person through physical appearance. It is possible to study human bone remains to determine the approximate height of an individual or the number of victims present in a mass disaster. However, there is a limitation in the study of human bone remains which only the study of human dental remains could provide. It is very costly to conduct a DNA test on the bone remains in determining the sex of a person. Therefore, it is advisable to study the human dental remains since it is more cost effective. The human teeth do not decompose over time. It is possible to use the postmortem dental profiling in searching for the deceased’s antemortem record in order to retrieve information related to the deceased’s age, ancestry background, sex, and socio-economic status. In some cases, information concerning the deceased’s occupation, habitual behaviours, dietary habits, and dental or systemic diseases is also written on the antemortem dental record. The study of human dental remains particularly its physical appearance and structure could provide the researcher some basic information such as age, sex, health condition, lifestyle and habits which is not always evident in the study of the human bone remains. For this reason, bioarchaeologists pay too much attention in the study of human dental remains. *** End *** References: 1 Addy, M. et al. (1995) ‘The Comparative Tea Staining Potential of Phenolic, Chlorhexidine and Anti-Adhesive Mouthrinses’ Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 1995;22(12):923 – 238. 2 Backanek, T. et al. (1999) ‘Exposure to Flour Dust and the Level of Abrasion of Hard Tooth Tissues among the Workers of Flour Mills’ Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine. 1999;6(2):147 – 149. 3 Bartlett, D.W. et al. (2000) ‘The Role of Esophagus in Dental Erosion’ Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 2000;89(3):312 – 315. 4 Bartlett D.W., Evans D.F., and Smith B.G. (1996) ‘The Relationship Between Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease and Dental Erosion’ Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 1996;23(5):289 – 297. 5 Bartlett, D.W. and Smith, B.G. (1994) ‘The Dental Impact of Eating Disorders’ Dental Update. 1994;21(10):404 – 407. 6 Bucolo, D.L. (1987) ‘Special treatment Planning for Musicians’ Dentistry. 1987;7(3):28 – 30. 7 Buikstra, J.E. and Ubelaker, D.H. (1994) ‘Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains’ Arkansas Archaeological Survey Research. Series No. 44. Fayetteville. 8 Chaudhry S.I., Harris J.L., and Challacombe S.J. (1997) ‘Dental Erosion in a Wine Merchant: An Occupational Hazard?’ British Dental Journal. 1997;182(6):226 – 228. 9 Dodd, M.A. et al. (1998) ‘Minocycline-Associated Tooth Staining’ Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 1998;32(9):317 – 318. 10 Driscoll, E.M. (n.d.) ‘Archaeology at the Town Creek Site: Town Creek Indian Mound’ North Carolina Historic Sites. Retrieved: July 12, 2007 < http://www.towncreek.nchistoricsites.org/ > 11 Dutty J.B., Waterfield J.D., and Skinner M.F. (1991) ‘Isolation of Tooth Pulp Cells for Sex Chromatin Studies in Experimental Dehydrated and Cremated Remains’ Forensic Science International. 1991;49(2):127 – 141. 12 Fayle, S.A. and Pollard, M.A. (1994) ‘Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria – Oral Manifestations and Dental Treatment in Childhood: A Case Report’ Quintessence International. 1994:25(8):551 – 554. 13 Ferguson, M.M. et al. (1996) ‘Enamel Erosion Related to Winemaking’ Occupational Medicine. 1996;46(2):159 – 162. 14 Fitzgerald, C.M. and Rose, J.C. (2000) ‘Reading between the Lines: Dental Development and Subadult Age Assessment Using Microstructural Growth Markers of Teeth’ in Katzenberg, M.A. and Saunders, S.R. (Eds.) ‘Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton’ Wiley: New York; 163 – 186. 15 Frencken, J.E. et al. (1989) ‘Oral Health Status of Employees in Sugar and Sisal Estates in Tanzania’ African Dental Journal. 1989;3(2):9 – 16. 16 Grandjean, P. (1982) ‘Occupational Fluorosis through 50 Years: Clinical and Epidemiological Experiences’ American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 1982;3(2):227 – 236. 17 Gray A., Ferguson M.M., and Wall J.G. (1998) ‘Case Report: Wine Tasting and Dental Erosion’ Australian Dental Journal. 1998;43(1):32 – 34. 18 Gustafson, G. and Koch, G. (1974) ‘Age Estimation up to 16 Years of Age Based on Dental Development’ Odontologisk Revy. 25:297 – 306. 19 Haller, E. (1992) ‘Eating Disorder: A Review and Update’ West Journal of Medicine. 1992;157(6):658 – 662. 20 Herbert, F.L. and Delcambre, T.J. (1987) ‘Unusual Case of Green Teeth Resulting from Neonatal Hyperblirubinemia’ ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children. 1987;54(1):54 – 56. 21 Hillson, S. (1996) ‘Dental Anthropology’ Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. 22 Jailwala, J.A. and Shaker, R. (2000) ‘Oral and Pharyngeal Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Globus, Dental Erosions, and Chronic Sinusitis’ Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2000;30(3):S35 – 38. 23 Janaway, R. et al. (2001) ‘Human Skeletal Collections: The Responsibilities of Project Managers, Physical Anthropologists, Conservators and the need for Standardised Condition Assessment’ in Williams, E. (Eds) ‘Human Remains: Conservation, Retrieval and Analysis Proceedings’ of a Conference Held in Williamsburg VA. Nov. 7 – 11th, 1999. BAR (International Series) 934 Archaeopress: Oxford, 199 – 208. 24 Jones, D.G. (1998) ‘Odontology Often is Final Piece of Grim Puzzle’ Journal of California Dental Association. 1998;26:650 – 651. 25 Kieser, J.A. and Groeneveld, H.T. (1989) ‘The Unreliability of Sex Allocation Based on Human Odontometric Data’ Journal of Forensic Odontostomatology. 1989;7(1):1 – 12. 26 Lund, H. and Mornstad, H. (1999) ‘Gender Determination by Odontometrics in a Swedish Population’ Journal of Forensic Odontostomatology. 1999;17(2):30 – 34. 27 Molleson, T.I. et al. (1998) ‘Some Sexually Dimorphic Features of the Human Juvenile Skull and their Value in Sex Determination in Immature Skeletal Remains’ Journal of Archaeological Science. 25:719 – 728. 28 Muller, M. et al. (2001) ‘Odontometrical Method Useful in Determining Gender and Dental Alignment’ Forensic Science International. 2001;121:194 – 197. 29 Peterson, P.E. and Gormsen, C. (1991) ‘Oral Conditions Among German Battery Factory Workers’ Community Dental and Oral Epidemiology. 1991;19(2):104 – 106. 30 Pindborg, J.J. (1982) ‘Aetiology of Developmental Enamel Defects not Related to Fluorosis’ International Dental Journal. 1982;32(2):123 – 134. 31 Pretty, I.A. and Sweet, D. (2001) ‘Teeth in the Determination of Human Identity’ British Dental Journal. 2001;190(7):359 – 366. 32 Rao, N.G. et al. (1986) ‘Mandibular Canines in Establishing Sex Identity’ Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 1986;(18):5 – 12. 33 Robb N.D., Cruwys E., and Smith B.G. (1991) ‘Regurgitation Erosion as a Possible Cause of Tooth Wear in Ancient British Populations’ Archives of Oral Biology. 1991;36(8): 595 – 602. 34 Roberts, M.W. and Tylenda, C.A. (1989) ‘Dental Aspects of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa’ Pediatrician. 1989;16(3 – 4):178 – 184. 35 Rytomaa, I. et al. (1998) ‘Bulimia and Tooth Erosion’ Acta Odontologica Scandinavia. 1998;56(1):36 – 40. 36 Saunders, S.R. (2000) ‘Subadult Skeletons and Growth Related Studies’ in Katzenberg and Saunders, S.R. (eds) ‘Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton’ Wiley: New York, 135 – 162. 37 Scheuer, L. (2002) ‘A Blind Test of Mandibular Morphology for Sexing Mandibles in the First Few Years of Life’ American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 119: 189 – 191. 38 Scheutzel, P. (1996) ‘Etiology of Dental Erosion-Intrinsic Factors’ European Journal of Oral Science. 1996;104(2 Pt 2):178 – 190. 39 Schroeder, P.L. et al. (1995) ‘Dental Erosion and Acid Reflux Disease’ Annals of Internal Medicine. 1995;122(11):809 – 815. 40 Schutkowski, H. (1993) ‘Sex Determination of Infant and Juvenile Skeletons I Morphognostic Features’ American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 90:199 – 205. 41 Smith, B.G. and Robb, N.D. (1989) ‘Dental Erosion in Patients with Chronic Alcoholism’ Journal of Dentistry. 1989;17(5):219 – 221. 42 Stini, W.A. (1985) ‘Growth Rates and Sexual Dimorphism in Evolutionary Perspective’ in Gilbert, R.I. and Mielke, J.H. (eds) ‘The Analysis of Prehistoric Diets’ Academic Press: Orlando. 191 – 226. 43 Sweet, D. and DiZinno, J.A. (1996) ‘Personal Identification through Dental Evidence-Tooth Fragments to DNA’ Journal California Dentistry Association. 1996;24:35 – 42. 44 Tuominen, M. and Tuominen, R. (1991) ‘Tooth Surface loss Among People Exposed to Cement and Stone Dust in the Work Environment in Tanzania’ Community Dentistry Health. 1991;8(3):233 – 238. 45 Ubelaker, D.H. (1989) ‘Human Skeletal Remains: Excavation, Analysis, Interpretation’ in Brickley, M. and McKinley, J.I. (2004) ‘Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains’ IFA Paper No. 7. 46 Walker, P.L. (1995) ‘Problems of Preservation and Sexism in Sexing: Some Lessons from Historical Collections for Palaeodemographers’ in Brickley, M. and McKinley, J.I. (2004) ‘Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains’ IFA Paper No. 7. 47 Zero, D.T. (1996) ‘Etiology of Dental Erosion – Extrinsic Factors’ European Journal of Oral Science. 1996;104(2):162 – 177. Read More