Dental Occlusion in a Split Amazon Indigenous Population: Genetics Prevails over Environment

Background: Studies examining human and nonhuman primates have supported the hypothesis that the recent increase in the occurrence of misalignment of teeth and/or incorrect relation of dental arches, named dental malocclusion, is mainly attributed to the availability of a more processed diet and the reduced need for powerful masticatory action. For the first time on live human populations, genetic and tooth wear influences on occlusal variation were examined in a split indigenous population. The Arara-Iriri people are descendants of a single couple expelled from a larger village. In the resultant village, expansion occurred through the mating of close relatives, resulting in marked genetic cohesion with substantial genetic differences. Methodology/Principal Findings: Dental malocclusion, tooth wear and inbreeding coefficient were evaluated. The sample examined was composed of 176 individuals from both villages. Prevalence Ratio and descriptive differences in the outcomes frequency for each developmental stage of the dentition were considered. Statistical differences between the villages were examined using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact statistic. Tooth wear and the inbreeding coefficient (F) between the villages was tested with Mann-Whitney statistics. All the statistics were performed using two-tailed distribution at p#0.05. The coefficient inbreeding (F) confirmed the frequent incestuous unions among the Arara-Iriri indigenous group. Despite the tooth wear similarities, we found a striking difference in occlusal patterns between the two Arara villages. In the original village, dental malocclusion was present in about one third of the population; whilst in the resultant village, the occurrence was almost doubled. Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of malocclusion were strongly different between the groups. Conclusions/Significance: Our findings downplay the widespread influence of tooth wear, a direct evidence of what an individual ate in the past, on occlusal variation of living human populations. They also suggest that genetics plays the most important role on dental malocclusion etiology

Safe rebuilding of the periodontal loss an experimental study

This study aimed at the simulation of bone tissue remodeling within a bone defect with the utilization of the finite element method (FEM), enabling - via elaborated application - objective evaluation of orthodontic forces which positively influence periodontium in vivo. The initial position of each bracket on the passive archwire was registered, and then a geometrical and discretemodel of the appliance was created automatically. Assessment of the dental scans obtained using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allowed evaluation of the range of bracket displacement: from the initial position to the final one achieved on the active archwire. Those displacements established terminal conditions in the finite element analysis, enabling calculation of orthodontic force levels. An individual design of a tooth with periodontal ligaments and the periodontal defect subsequently loaded with the determined forces allowed simulation of bone remodeling according to Carters adaptation process. Mainly, the bone apposition processes took place in the central part of the periodontal defect, in proximity of the alveolar ridge. However, FEM application in the analysis of bone tissue regeneration within bone defects enables precise evaluation of the achieved changes, therefore allows determination of orthodontic forces positively influencing periodontium in vivo

Safe rebuilding of the periodontal loss an experimental study

This study aimed at the simulation of bone tissue remodeling within a bone defect with the utilization of the finite element method (FEM), enabling - via elaborated application - objective evaluation of orthodontic forces which positively influence periodontium in vivo. The initial position of each bracket on the passive archwire was registered, and then a geometrical and discretemodel of the appliance was created automatically. Assessment of the dental scans obtained using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allowed evaluation of the range of bracket displacement: from the initial position to the final one achieved on the active archwire. Those displacements established terminal conditions in the finite element analysis, enabling calculation of orthodontic force levels. An individual design of a tooth with periodontal ligaments and the periodontal defect subsequently loaded with the determined forces allowed simulation of bone remodeling according to Carters adaptation process. Mainly, the bone apposition processes took place in the central part of the periodontal defect, in proximity of the alveolar ridge. However, FEM application in the analysis of bone tissue regeneration within bone defects enables precise evaluation of the achieved changes, therefore allows determination of orthodontic forces positively influencing periodontium in vivo