Malocclusion and its Pathogenic Factors in Skeletal Remains from West Japan

Abstract

In order to trace the progressing sequence of tooth to denture base discrepancy, and to confirm its pathogenic actions on dental diseases, the authors have previously investigated skeletal remains mainly from East Japan. The present study is to expand the objects into the skeletal populations from West Japan, so as to compliment the lack of materials in the previous study to obtain more continuous information on the progressing sequence of the discrepancy and also to compare these changes between East and West Japan. In this study, 218 skulls with well preserved occlusion, which are stored in the Departments of Anatomy, Kyushu University and Nagasaki University were used. The results indicate dominant increase of malocclusion and the discrepancy through Japanese prehistoric and historic ages. A specific characteristic of the Yayoi people was detected to have high frequency of anterior cross-bite of the skeletal type. This fact seems to be very interesting and informative for the purpose of discussing the regional differences and the origin of Japanese in further studies.