Variations of Tooth Root Morphology in a Romano- British Population

Abstract

Tooth morphology can provide valuableevidence in studies of prehistoric, historic and modernpopulations. The aims of this study were to derive datafor root anomalies in a Romano-British population, toinvestigate associations between anomalies, and tocompare findings with other populations to provideevidence concerning etiology. An additional aim wasto develop further the methodology and reproducibilityin such studies. From the Christian cemetery of 3rd-5thcentury AD in Poundbury, UK, 385 skulls were suitablefor examination. Radiographic technique was standardizedwith custom-made skull supports and criteriaestablished for each anomaly. There was a high levelof reproducibility for the diagnosis of each anomaly.The prevalence of the anomalies in individuals was:three-rooted mandibular first molars 1.8%, fused roots14.0%, cuneiform roots 16.9%, taurodontism 26.9%, andinvaginated teeth 1.1%. There were highly significant(P < 0.001) associations between fused and cuneiformroots, and both were significantly associated with thirdmolar hypodontia (P < 0.002; P < 0.05). These reductionsin root morphology were commonly bilateral andmore frequent in females, as is hypodontia. The findingsof this study are compatible with a multifactorialetiology of these anomalies, showing continuous variationin root morphology. The gradients of anomaliesobserved are also compatible with the concept of morphogeneticfields.