title: Investigations Into Age-related Changes in the Human Mandible.
abstract: While changes in mandibular shape over time are not widely recognized by skeletal biologists, mandibular remodeling and associated changes in gross morphology may result from a number of causes related to mechanical stress such as antemortem tooth loss, changes in bite force, or alterations of masticatory performance. This study investigated the relationship between age-related changes and antemortem tooth loss in adult humans via dry bone measurements. This study examined 10 standard mandibular measurements as well as individual antemortem tooth loss scores using the Eichner Index from a total of 319 female and male individuals with ages ranging from 16 to 99 years. Results indicate that few mandibular measurements exhibited age-related changes, and most were affected by antemortem tooth loss.
authors.affiliation: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency - Laboratory, 590 Moffet Street, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI.
authors.forename: Nicolette M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.affiliation: Anthropology and Sociology Department, Western Carolina University, 101 McKee Hall, Cullowhee, NC.
authors.forename: Nicholas V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.affiliation: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency - Laboratory, 590 Moffet Street, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skorpinski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: aging; edentulism; forensic anthropology; forensic science; mandible; osteometrics