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Measuring Periodontal Disease in Ancient Populations: Root and Wear Indices in Study of American Indian Skulls
Author(s) -
Goldberg Hyman J. V.,
Weintraub J. A.,
Roghmann K. J.,
Cornwell W. S.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1976.47.6.348
Subject(s) - periodontal disease , dentistry , medicine , oral health , tooth wear , orthodontics , population , index (typography) , environmental health , computer science , world wide web
As an example of the collaboration of periodontologists and physical anthropologists, the skulls of two Indian populations were studied. A root index to assay periodontal disease and a wear index to evaluate occlusal wear, were developed. The first Indian population, living 400 years ago, had more decay, loss of teeth and caries; the second population, living 4,000 years ago, exhibited more periodontal disease. Starting with a sample of eight teeth, two from each quadrant, the statistical analysis showed that a smaller number of teeth would give a reliable assessment of past oral health. Based on our findings, the canines proved to be good indicators for general wear and the incisors for periodontal disease. A six-tooth index of varying teeth studied is proposed for the root index and the wear index in future studies of oral health of ancient populations.