Under restrictive conditions, can the widths of linear enamel hypoplasias be used as relative indicators of stress episode duration?

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Amelia HubbardPaul W Sciulli

Abstract

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a type of enamel defect reflecting nonspecific physiological stress, has traditionally been used by bioarchaeologists to assess human health. Initially, measurements of defect width were used to estimate the duration of stress episodes. More recently, methods of counting within-defect perikymata (enamel growth increments) were developed to more accurately assess duration. Because perikymata are often not continuously visible within defects, while widths can usually be measured, the primary purpose of this article was to determine if, under restrictive conditions, the widths of LEH defects might be used as relative indicators of stress episode duration. Using a set of dental replicas from the prehistoric Irene Mound (1150-1400 A.D.), this study also investigated potential sources of variation in defect widths and how often defect widths could be measured and within-defect perikymata counted. Of 120 defects, only 47 contained both measurable defect widths and total within-defect perikymata, while 79 had measurable defect widths. Regression analysis revealed that, for these 47 defects, defect widths were more strongly related to the total number of within-defect perikymata than they were to crown re...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 14, 2013·Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : Official Organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·Katrin Koel-Abt, Andreas Winkelmann
Jan 12, 2010·International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry·Nina SabelJörgen G Norén
Jun 18, 2016·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Kathryn E MarkleinDouglas E Crews
Oct 23, 2012·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·K A ShulerM E Danforth
Apr 14, 2017·American Journal of Primatology·Mark F Skinner, Matthew M Skinner
Jul 18, 2021·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Heather J H EdgarCorey S Ragsdale

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