An Odontometric Study of the Permanent Molars in two Ethnic Groups in Sri Lanka
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Date
2001-11-16
Authors
Peiris, H. R. D.
Nanayakkara, C. D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya,Sri Lanka
Abstract
The shape and the size of the teeth are known to vary. Evolutionary anthropologists
have highlighted that the size and the shape of the teeth change due to selective forces,
technological and dietary changes during human evolution. These dimensions also furnish
human biologists and clinicians with an insight into the genetic relation between populations
and environmental adaptation. A study was undertaken to establish mesiodistal, buccolingual
and occlusal dimensions of the permanent molars of the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamil adult
males.
Eighty males belonging to the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamil ethnic groups (40
Sinhalese and 40 Sri Lankan Tamils) in the age range of 20 - 35 were selected. Three
generation pedigree was recorded for each individual in order to check the ethnicity. Teeth
were selected for measurements only if they were morphologically normal and fully erupted,
not noticeably affected by attrition and caries and not restored. Only individuals having the
normal occlusion were included in the study. Measurements were obtained on the dental casts
taken from each subject. The measurements included, mesiodistal and buccolingual crown
diameters (MD and BL) of the maxillary and mandibular molars, MD and BL diameters of
the trigonid and talonid (TRMD, TLMD, TRBL, TLBL) of the mandibular molars. All
measurements were recorded to the nearest 0.01 mm. using a digital vernier caliper by one
investigator. The means and SDs of the MD and BL crown diameters of the maxillary and
mandibular molars, TRMD, TLMD, TRBL, and TLBL of the mandibular molars were
computed. Differences between the means were tested for significance using the student's t-
test.
Mean values of all measurements of teeth were larger in Sri Lankan Tamils than in the
Sinhalese. However, significant differences were observed for the MD and TLMD of the
mandibular second molar tooth and MD of the maxillary first molar tooth between Sri Lankan
Tamil and Sinhalese males.
Description
Keywords
Odontometric , Molars , Ethinic
Citation
Proceedings & abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions 2001,University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,pp.50