Dental contribution to paleo-odontological study of interarch relations in a human fossil.

In paleo-anthropology the fragility of fossil pieces (teeth and supporting bones) reduces their possible manipulation when studying the interarch relations. Two original impression methods of the jaw pieces are proposed, both adapted from those currently practiced in odontology. The plaster replicas of the dental occlusal parts are prepared according to the manufacturing procedures used in prosthetic dental laboratories. This study led to the following observations: 1) the impression techniques used by odontologists are adapted to the moulding of fragile samples. 2) The replicas elaborated from these mouldings made easier the cast manipulation in confrontation. 3) Macrophotography is a complement to direct observation of the pieces and their replicas. 4) For paleoanthropologic purposes, such studies can be easily carried out on almost any animal or human fossils.