Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo 2010 Volume 138, Issue 11-12, Pages: 699-705
https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH1012699M
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Tooth macromorphological and ultrastructural analysis of osteological material from the medieval locality of St. Panteleimon Church in Niš
Mitić Nadica (Odeljenje za bolesti zuba, Klinika za stomatologiju, Medicinski fakultet, Niš)
Mitić Aleksandar (Odeljenje za bolesti zuba, Klinika za stomatologiju, Medicinski fakultet, Niš)
Mitić Vladimir (Odeljenje za ortopediju vilica i zuba, Klinika za stomatologiju, Medicinski fakultet, Niš)
Savić Vojin (Institut za biomedicinska istraživanja, Medicinski fakultet, Niš)
Nikolić Marija (Odeljenje za bolesti zuba, Klinika za stomatologiju, Medicinski fakultet, Niš)
Introduction. Analysis of macromorphological and ultrastructural tooth
characteristics of osteological material from the medieval site of St.
Pantaleimon Church in Niš provides us with insight on the life, nutrition and
habits of medieval population, as well as the structure and composition of
their teeth. Objective. The aim of this research, based on the tooth
inspection of skeletal remains from the medieval site of St. Pantaleimon
Church in Niš, was to analyze macromorphological characteristics ,
ultrastructure of the dental tissue of maxillary and mandibular molars,
canines and incisors, as well as their chemical composition. Methods.
Macromorphological and ultrastructural analysis of the dental tissue of
osteological material dating from the 12th century included 1312 teeth with
advanced abrasion. Macromorphological changes were detected by using a dental
mirror, probe and radiography. After irrigation, the teeth were prepared
using the standard procedure and analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy
(JEOL-JSM-5300). Chemical analysis was done by expanded downscaling (EDS)
method for Mg, P, Ca. Results. The analysis detected second degree abrasions
of all teeth in individuals aged 20-25 years. Third and fourth degree
abrasions of teeth were detected in individuals aged over 40 years.
Ultrastructural analysis showed a complete obliteration of dentin tubules and
pulp of the lower incisors, the apposition of intratubular dentin inside the
tubules, as well as extensive deformity and loss of dentin structure on
molars with preserved pulp volume and nerve fiber calcification. The
calcification of nerve fibers showed that the formation of intratubular
dentin was proportional with the biological potential of pulp and the degree
of abrasion, and inversely proportional with the size of dentin surface.
Chemical analysis showed that in the analyzed teeth Ca composition was
slightly lower than that in the control group, P composition was almost
identical, while Mg composition was multiply increased in comparison to the
control group consisting of today’s persons of matching age and examined
teeth as the medieval individuals. Conclusion. Different ultrastructural
tooth characteristics as a part of the complex masticatory system of the
medieval man are the result of individual and the whole community adaptation
to actual living conditions. Nerve fibers calcification of the pulp can
explain the absence of pain despite the high level of dental abrasion.
Keywords: abrasion, ultrastructure, dentin tubules, obliteration
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