Triple Fusion in the Primary Dentition from Law’s Site, Alabama (1MS100): A Case Report

Brian D Padgett

doi:10.26575/daj.v23i1.67

Abstract

Dental fusion of the primary dentition is a rare congenital anomaly. Evidence in the literature of bioarchaeology is scarce. Burial MS100-14 was recovered from Law’s Site on Pine Island, in Marshall County, Alabama. Analysis of the remains found that MS100-14 presented a clear case of triple fusion of primary dentition in the maxilla. This appears to be the first case of triple fusion reported from among prehistoric Native American remains in the Southeastern United States.

Highlights

Dental fusion of the primary dentition is presented a clear case of triple fusion of primary dentition a rare congenital anomaly
A supernumerary tooth fused with an incisor of an infant from the Law’s Site (1MS100), in Marshall
It is believed that the Native occupants The expression of triple fusion in MS100-14 as a of this latter period were the historically known Koasati, dental anomaly is unusual in that it occurred among or Coushatta, tribe (Padgett, 2007; Swanton, 1985, 1989), the maxillary dentition, as other researchers have found though there is some dispute on this issue (Hudson, 1997). that when dental fusion occurs it is predominantly in the mandibular arch (Cheng et al, 2003; Yonezu et al, 1997)

Summary

The three teeth are fused at both the enamel and the

A standard osteological analysis was performed on the dentin, though all three can be recognized as distinct skeletal remains recovered from Law’s Site (1MS100). Law’s Site was a village on the southern end of Pine Island the pulp cavities of the three teeth are continuous in Marshall County, Alabama. The site was excavated with each other, each tooth was maintained by its own in 1938 by the Works Project Administration (WPA) root canal. These observations support the assertion that under the direction of Carl F. The site had seen Native American occupation since 2005; Yonezu et al, 1997); no evidence relating the Archaic Period (about 8,000-1,000 B.C.) Attributed to the post-contact period, between 1540 and about 1715

Findings

CONCLUSION

LITERATURE CITED