title: The ethnic custom of tooth adornment in rural Bhutan: report of a case.
abstract: The practice of tooth modification dates back thousands of years and continues to be performed in some contemporary societies. There is limited information available about the dental customs in Bhutan. A 70-year-old Bhutanese woman presented with a gold disk on her maxillary anterior tooth. Both central incisors had been adorned when she was a teenager and subsequently the gold disk on the right incisor had broken off. They were placed for religious worship, promotion of peace, and to bring good luck. In addition to this case report, a brief literature review of ethnic alterations of the dentition is provided in this article. Recognition of the various practices of tooth modification can enhance cultural sensitivity and add to our general knowledge of social customs.
authors: Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
authors: John K
authors: JK
authors: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001631:Bhutan; D046289:Body Modification, Non-Therapeutic; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla
keywords: Bhutan; custom; gold disk; modification; tooth adornment