Examining the relationship between skull size and dental anomalies

This study, reporting the results of a 2012 Master’s dissertation, of 131 skulls from 6 Classical to Medieval populations in Macedonia and England examined the relationship between craniometric variables and dental anomalies of shape, number, and position. Standard craniometric landmarks were measured and dental anomalies of shape, number, and position were recorded and tested for associations using SPSS. Rotations were the most common anomaly and were associated significantly with reduced mandibular robustness, as well as smaller facial height and width, and shorter cranial height. Congenitally absent M3 was associated with reduced facial height. Among the most interesting findings is that dental anomalies were more prevalent in population samples with generally small skulls (i.e., normal, non-anomalous skulls).