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Aspects of dental development in the orangutan prior to eruption of the permanent dentition
Author(s) -
Winkler L. A.,
Schwartz J. H.,
Swindler D. R.
Publication year - 1991
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.1330860213
Subject(s) - dentition , extant taxon , tooth eruption , biology , dental anomalies , permanent teeth , permanent dentition , evolutionary biology , deciduous dentition , orthodontics , paleontology , medicine , molar
In spite of a resurgence of interest in the interpretation of the sequences of dental development and eruption in various Plio‐Pleistocene hominoids as being either “modern human” or “ape‐like,” the body of comparative material on the extant hominoids remains deficient in critical areas. In concert with recent attempts to rectify this situation, we present the results of our studies on dental morphogenesis in the orangutan. We have focused on the growth and eruption of the deciduous dentition as well as early stages of permanent tooth formation and have found that 1) many permanent teeth develop earlier than was thought, 2) differences exist between development in the upper and in the lower jaw, and 3) states of tooth formation can vary significantly among individuals of similar chronological age or tooth eruption status.