Root caries on a <i>Paranthropus robustus</i> third molar from Drimolen

Towle, Ian; Riga, Alessandro; Irish, Joel D.; Dori, Irene; Menter, Colin G.; Moggi‐Cecchi, Jacopo

doi:10.1002/ajpa.23891

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Given the results here and elsewhere [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] , cariogenic bacteria seemed to be prevalent in a number of hominin species. This scenario is supported by research suggesting that a variety of bacteria contribute to a cariogenic microbiota; these same species are often part of the normal oral microbiome in non-pathological situations.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…21,22 Yet, evidence for such lesions in pre-agricultural groups is growing. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] In light of this evidence, we reanalysed South African fossil hominin material and Homo naledi recorded for the first time for the presence of caries. Comparisons of position and prevalence were then made with hominin samples from the literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ten carious lesions have already been recorded in South African hominins, including two in a mandible from early Homo, SK 15. 32 The others are attributed to Paranthropus robustus, with three lesions on SKX 5023 23 , two on SK 55 33 , two on SK 13/14 33 , and one on DNH 40 from Drimolen 31 . The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and characteristics of caries in South African fossil hominins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

Towle¹,

Irish²,

Groote³

et al. 2021

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Once considered rare in fossil hominins, caries has recently been reported in several hominin species, requiring a new assessment of this condition during human evolution. Caries prevalence and location on the teeth of South African fossil hominins were observed and compared with published data from other hominin samples. Teeth were viewed macroscopically, with lesion position and severity noted and described. For all South African fossil hominin specimens studied to date, a total of 10 carious teeth (14 lesions), including 4 described for the first time here, have been observed. These carious teeth were found in a minimum of seven individuals, including five Paranthropus robustus, one early Homo, and one Homo naledi. All 14 lesions affected posterior teeth. The results suggest cariogenic biofilms and foods may have been present in the oral environment of a wide variety of hominins. Caries prevalence in studied fossil hominins is similar to those in pre-agricultural human groups, in which 1–5% of teeth are typically affected.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

Towle¹,

Irish²,

Groote³

et al. 2021

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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“…Recent literature has shown caries is not as rare as previously thought in fossil hominin and extant great apes (e.g., Arnaud et al, 2016; Lacy, 2014; Lacy et al, 2012; Lanfranco & Eggers, 2012; Liu et al, 2015; Margvelashvili et al, 2016; Miles & Grigson, 2003; Stoner, 1995; Towle et al, 2019; Trinkaus et al, 2000). There is also growing evidence that caries was common in other extinct primates (e.g., Fuss et al, 2018; Han and Zhao, 2002; Selig and Silcox, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Dental caries in wild primates: interproximal cavities on anterior teeth

Towle

Irish

Sabbi

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Dental caries has been reported in a variety of primates, although is still considered rare in wild populations. In this study, 11 catarrhine primates were studied for the presence of caries. A differential diagnosis of lesions found in interproximal regions of anterior teeth was undertaken, since they had been previously described as both carious and non-carious in origin. Each permanent tooth was examined macroscopically, with severity and position of lesions recorded. Two specimens were micro-CT scanned to assess demineralization. The differential diagnosis confirmed the cariogenic nature of interproximal cavities on anterior teeth (ICAT's). Overall results show 3.3% of teeth are carious, with prevalence varying among species from 0% to over 7% of teeth affected. ICAT's occurred in Pan troglodytes (9.8%), Gorilla gorilla gorilla (2.6%), Cercopithecus denti (22.4%), Presbytis femoralis (19.5%) and Cercopithecus mitis (18.3%). They make up 87.9% of carious lesions on anterior teeth. These results likely reflect dietary and food processing differences among species, but also between the sexes (e.g., 9.3% of teeth of female chimpanzees were carious vs. 1.8% in males). Processing cariogenic fruits and seeds with the anterior dentition (e.g., wadging) likely contributes to ICAT formation. Further research is needed on living populations to ascertain behavioral/dietary influences on caries occurrence in primates. Given the constancy of ICAT's in frugivorous primates, their presence in archaeological and paleontological specimens may shed light on diet and food processing behaviors in fossil primates.

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“…In this study, we recorded the presence/absence of periapical voids in South African fossil hominins, as well as two species of extant great apes and modern humans. Our working hypothesis was that their presence in fossil hominins likely resulted from crown wear, given its ubiquity in many hominin specimens, rather than caries, which are comparatively uncommon (Grine, Gwinnett, & Oaks, ; Towle et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Periapical lesions in hominids: Abscesses on the maxilla of a 2 million‐year‐old early Homo specimen

Towle

Irish

2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Periapical lesions can develop after exposure of a tooth's pulp chamber and are commonly associated with heavy crown wear, trauma, or caries. In this study, maxilla and mandible fragments from the South African fossil hominin collections were studied, including specimens assigned to Homo naledi, Paranthropus robustus, Australopithecus africanus, and early Homo. Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes, and Homo sapiens were also studied for comparative purposes. Only one fossil hominin specimen displayed voids consistent with periapical lesions. The specimen, SK 847, is described as early Homo and has been dated to 2.3–1.65 Ma. There is one definite periapical lesion and likely more with post‐mortem damage, all on the anterior aspect of the maxilla and associated with the incisors. The lesions originate from the apices of the incisor roots and are therefore unlikely to represent a systemic disease such as multiple myeloma. The one well‐preserved lesion was likely an abscess rather than a cyst or granuloma, with a rounded thickened rim around the lesion. These lesions in an early Homo specimen highlight that this individual used their anterior dentition extensively, to the point that the pulp chambers were exposed on multiple teeth. This is one of the earliest hominin examples of periapical lesions and shows that this individual was able to cope with potentially several concurrent abscesses, clearly surviving for an extended period. Periapical lesions are relatively common in the great ape (P. troglodytes: 1.99%; G. gorilla gorilla: 1.86%) and human samples (2.50%) but absent in large samples of P. robustus and A. africanus (n = 0/373 teeth). Therefore, this finding adds additional information to the history of dental pathology in our genus and also suggests that other hominin genera may have been less susceptible to dental abscesses, potentially relating to dietary or behavioural differences.

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Root caries on a Paranthropus robustus third molar from Drimolen

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

Dental caries in wild primates: interproximal cavities on anterior teeth

Periapical lesions in hominids: Abscesses on the maxilla of a 2 million‐year‐old early Homo specimen

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