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A discussion of dental homology with reference to primates
Author(s) -
Schwartz Jeffrey H.
Publication year - 1980
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.1330520403
Subject(s) - homo sapiens , dentition , mammal , premolar , deciduous teeth , biology , dental anatomy , deciduous tooth , orthodontics , dentistry , evolutionary biology , anatomy , medicine , molar , zoology , geography , archaeology
The inconsistencies which exist when the traditional tooth‐to‐bony‐landmark/tooth‐to‐occlusal‐relationship criteria of identification of teeth are maintained are discussed. It is pointed out how these (e.g., “the canine is the tooth behind the premaxillary‐maxillary suture”) can be falsified. It is also suggested that some mammals, including Tarsius and Homo sapiens , develop homologies of three sets of “teeth,” and that the “adult” antemolar dentition of a mammal may be composed of retained deciduous teeth as well as permanent teeth. Following a revision of dental homologies in most primates, an approach to reevaluating dental homologies is proposed, and a model of tooth “loss” presented.