Open AccessEtruscan Teeth and Odontology
Author(s) -
Luigi Capasso,
G Tota
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
dental anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2769-822X
pISSN - 1096-9411
DOI - 10.26575/daj.v8i1.250
Subject(s) - diastema , dentistry , tooth loss , orthodontics , dental alveolus , medicine , oral health
The results of a paleopathological examination of the teeth and supporting structures of a 4th through 2nd century BC Etruscan sample of 119 crania from central Italy reveals a relatively low incidence of caries (27.7%) and high frequencies of antemortem tooth loss (49.6%) and alveolar bone infection (27.7%). The mandibular anterior teeth of one individual were partially covered with a gold strip. The function of this strip may have been ornamental or possibly odontoechnical to cover a diastema which resulted from antemortem tooth loss. Previous studies have shown that the Etruscans were renowned for their skill in odontotherapy.