Prosthodontics & Restorative Dentistry

Dental Anthropology

Dental anthropology is a field of study within biological anthropology that focuses on the examination of human dental remains to understand aspects of human evolution, variation, and health across different populations and time periods. Key aspects of dental anthropology include:

• Evolutionary Development: Studying changes in dental morphology over evolutionary history to trace human ancestry and migration patterns.
• Population Diversity: Analyzing dental traits to assess genetic and cultural diversity among human populations globally.
• Health and Diet: Investigating dental pathologies and wear patterns to infer dietary habits and health conditions of ancient and modern populations.
• Forensic Applications: Using dental remains for forensic identification and understanding patterns of disease and trauma in past populations.

Through detailed analysis of teeth, dental anthropologists contribute valuable insights into human biological and cultural evolution, offering a unique perspective on the history and health of our ancestors.