Nicolette Parr

             Anthropologists have long been interested in the practice of dental modifications (see Fig. 3.1).  Dental modification is a world-wide phenomenon, however modifications are indicative of varied cultural practices and are usually specific to a continent or region (Milner and Larsen, 1991; Alt and Pichler, 1998). 

 

             Most modifications are said to have little damage to the pulp cavity and rarely result in periapical abcesses or tooth loss (Stewart and Groome, 1968; Romero, 1970). 

 

             Dental mutilation is still seen in some areas today, however its practice has been declining under the influence of western society (Biedenhann and van Reenen, 1985).

             Tooth filing is the most common form of dental mutilation (Romero, 1970; Alt and Pichler, 1998).  Tooth filing was readily performed in Latin America until the Spanish conquest resulted in the death of many of the Indian nobility and their customs (Perino, 1967).  Filing comes in many different varieties varying from parallel or cross-hatched lines on the teeth to filing the contours of the teeth to reach desired shape (see Figs. 3.3 –3.7).

Fig. 3.3. Filed anterior teeth in cross-hatch pattern. 

Fig. 3.4. Filed teeth to reach desired shape.

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             Inlays or incrustations are the second most common from of tooth modification.  Tooth incrustation was performed with by rotating a hard stone, such as quartz, against the enamel (Fastlicht, 1976) (see Figs. 3.8 and 3.9).

 

             The most common inlays are pyrite, jadeite, turquoise and gold which are applied to the labial surface of the tooth (Saville, 1913; Romero, 1970; Milner and Larsen, 1991) (see Figs. 3.10—3.12).

 

Fig. 3.8. The dental artisan.

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http://www.baliwaves.com/Content.aspx?

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Fig. 3.1. Balinese tooth filing.

             Romero’s (1970) classic study illustrates seven types of dental modification in Mesoamerica (see Fig. 3.2).  Romero (p. 50) lists the three main types of modification:

 

     1.    Alteration of the contour of the dental crown (rows

             A, B, C).

 

     2.   Alteration of the labial surface of the crown (rows

             D and E).

 

     3.   Alteration of both the contour of the crown and the

           labial surface (rows F and G).

 

             Each of these categories can classified as either intentional tooth filing or dental inlays.

Fig. 3.2. Romero’s (1970) classification of dental mutilation.

Fig. 3.7. Filed teeth to reach desired shape.

Fig. 3.6. Filed teeth from West Africa (Goose, 1963).

Fig. 3.5. Moro girl with filed teeth.

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Fig. 3.12. Gold inlays from Ecuador (Saville, 1913).

Fig. 3.11. Maxillary teeth from Mexico with both tooth filling and inlays. Courtesy of B. Tucker.

Fig. 3.9. Bow drill with stone inset.

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Fig. 3.10. Mayan jade inlay, circa, CE 900.

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             Most modifications to the teeth are performed solely for aesthetic purposes (Ubelaker, 1999).  The depiction of gods in Zapotec funeral urns tend to show them with distinct dental modification.  Thus, this practice may have some religious association (Romero, 1970) (see Fig. 3.13).

 

             Additionally, dental mutilation may be associated with high social status, however, this has been disputed since burials without grave goods have been found showing significant dental modification (Romero, 1970).

Fig. 3.13. Zapotec funeral urn showing possible dental modification.

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