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Prevalence and possible etiology of dental enamel hypoplasia
Author(s) -
ElNajjar Mahmoud Y.,
Desanti Mike V.,
Ozebek Leon
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330480210
Subject(s) - enamel hypoplasia , etiology , hypoplasia , enamel paint , white (mutation) , dentistry , dental enamel , medicine , physiology , biology , pathology , anatomy , genetics , gene
Two hundred black and white adult human skeletons and 200 living black and white children from the greater Cleveland area were examined for evidence of enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia, present in varying expressions (pits, lines and grooves), was found to be more prevalent in both skeletal samples, than in the living groups. In the majority of cases, sex differences between white and black males and females through time and space are highly significant for all tooth categories. Regardless of the mechanisms behind it, prevalence of enamel hypoplasia for both white and black groups has significantly declined through time. No evidence suggesting specific etiologies responsible for enamel hypoplasia can be found. In the majority of previously published reports, the etiology is still idiopathic. The reduction in the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in the groups examined through time may be related to improved nutritional conditions and the elimination or decline of childhood diseases that have been implicated in this condition.