Dental paleoradiology: applications in paleoanthropology and paleopathology.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To study the emergent role of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of ancient human dental remains. METHODS: We conducted a paleoradiologic study of the skeletal remains of 4 individuals dating from the Pliocene to the Medieval Period. The specialized software used permitted comprehensive analyses of the bone structures of the dental remains and the performing of three-dimensional stereolithographic reconstructions. RESULTS: Paleoradiology helps demonstrate the detailed anatomy of fossil specimens, which permitted us to assign 1 of the specimens that we studied to the genus Homo, and not Australopithecus. Tooth and mandibular disease were identified in 2 specimens. CONCLUSION: CT is an essential noninvasive and nondestructive tool for the evaluation of human dental remains.