An inconstant biorhythm

The changing pace of Retzius periodicity in human permanent teeth

Bibliographic Data

ID8316640
AuthorsGina Mcfarlane (0000-0002-7441-2281, Human Osteology Lab, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK, corresponding author), D Guatelli-Steinberg (0000-0002-1345-5384, Human Osteology Lab, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK), Carolina Loch (0000-0001-8949-4008, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry University of Otago New Zealand), Sophie White (0009-0001-9202-9796, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry University of Otago New Zealand), Priscilla Bayle (0000-0002-9043-3699, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MC, UMR 5199 PACEA Pessac France), Bruce Floyd (0000-0002-6092-0787, School of Social Sciences University of Auckland New Zealand), Rosie Pitfield (0000-0003-4187-9720, Human Osteology Lab, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK), P Mahoney (0000-0002-2715-3096, Human Osteology Lab, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK)
Year2021
Volume175
Issue1
Pages172-186
Publication date2021-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.24206
PMID33368148
OpenAlexW3111222051
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited83

OBJECTIVES: Human tooth enamel retains evidence of growth in the form of Retzius lines. The number of daily growth increments between the regularly occurring lines defines their repeat interval, or periodicity. Retzius periodicity is often incorporated into enamel formation times, age-at-death reconstructions, or used to provide a basis from which to explore an underlying biorhythm. Biological anthropologists typically assume that RP remains constant within an individual and does not vary along the tooth-row. Here, we test that assumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RP was calculated from n = 223 thin sections of human permanent teeth from individuals of British and southern African origin. Forty individuals provided multiple teeth (n = 102 teeth) and a further 121 individuals each provided a single tooth. RESULTS: We report first evidence that RP of permanent teeth does not always remain constant within an individual. Of those individuals that provided multiple teeth, 42% (n = 17/40) demonstrated a decrease in RP along the tooth row, with most shifting by two or more days (n = 11). Across the entire sample, mean RP of anterior teeth was significantly higher than molars. Mean premolar RP tended to be intermediate between anterior teeth and molars. DISCUSSION: Our data do not support the assumption that RP invariably remains constant within the permanent teeth of an individual. Transferring RP from molars to incisors within an individual can result in a miscalculation of formation time and age-at-death by up to 1 year. Implications for biological anthropologists and the source of the underlying long period biorhythm are discussed

Anterior teeth · Biology · Enamel paint · Human tooth · Molar · Permanent teeth · Premolar · Dentistry · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Orthodontics · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology