Occlusal tooth wear in human sculls of antique period from Vendenis and Municipium Dardanorum DD, Kosovo

Abstract

Aim: To describe the presence, frequency of attrition in permanent dentition of human skulls from two ancient archeological locations. Aims: To determine the rate of attrition using a specific quantitative and qualitative method. Methods: Twenty one human skulls from two ancient archeological necropolises (Vendenis and Municipium Dardanorum DD) were included in the analysis of samples for this study. A total of 498 teeth were present in all human skulls. The skulls (with their accompanying teeth) were then divided into groups according to locality of origin, age and sex. Macroscopic (observational) analysis of the teeth relied on inspection and exploration of the teeth in their totality. The classification system that was used to rate tooth wear was Tooth Wear Index (TWI). Statistical analysis used: Chitest for small samples was used to evaluate the observations obtained from the study. Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis was not performed due to the small number of teeth and the content of zero values in respective age groups. Results: The results show that out of total 498 teeth, 89.35% had attrition and 10.65% had no attrition or Grade 0 TWI. 21.48% were Grade 1, 28.71% Grade 2, 26.90% Grade 3, 7.42% Grade 4 and 4.81% Grade 5. Conclusions: Grade 2 and higher rate of attrition, was predominantly present in first permanent molars.