DENTAL CONDITIONS AMONG PREHISTORIC INDIANS OF KENTUCKY

(THE INDIAN KNOLL COLLECTION)

¹ Cincinnati, Ohio

Examination of skulls of the Indian Knoll remains disclose a substantial diversity in their physical and dental morphology. This consists of marked variations in the shape, size, structure, configurations and bone formation of the skulls and their respective jaws. The shapes, sizes, and quality of the teeth also vary accordingly. No doubt the tendency towards these diversities was established among the Indians prior to their reaching the western hemisphere. Some newly developed traits, such as torsion of the incisors and the raised labial marginal ridges of the maxillary incisors, may have occurred after reaching these shores and have been transmitted hereditarily. The incidence of tooth decay was comparatively very low among the prehistoric Indians. Likewise, the tendency towards periodontal disorders was not as prevalent as it exists today. It occurred only among those having reached the later stages of life. Massive bone formation of the alveolar process of the upper and lower jaws, providing added support to the teeth, are distinguishing features among the large headed types.

Anomalies, aberrations and malalignment of the teeth had frequently occurred among the American Indians. However, dento-facial deformities and malocclusion as they exist today were rare among prehistoric man. Wear of the teeth varied greatly: The quality of the teeth and the presence of abrasives in the food were the chief factors for the various degrees of wear. Extensive destruction of the jaw bones was due to rapid and excessive wear of the teeth, exposure and death of pulps culminating in necrosis of the bone. Secondary dentin formation had often prevented some individuals from experiencing this gruesome ordeal.