Research and Interviews!

Heya folks,

Here are some pictogram updates of one of my teeth research projects! Not a short amount of time was spent mounting and sawing this suspected mandibular first molar for your (or my professor's) viewing pleasure. This was actually a really awesome side-project and was done for more than one reason! A detailed procedure will follow...

In the meantime, this month sees travel to LA, Philly, and short trips around Boston for my first batch of dental school interviews! Wish me luck :)

Cheers,

E

(click to enlarge!)

A timely capture

Complete visualization of prisms and the like!

New Teeth Research Project

Today marks the day that I began my first dental-related research project! Although I concentrate in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), I am currently working in the Dental Hard Tissue Lab in the Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB) department with Dr. Tanya Smith.

Live imaging

To hone my skills before jumping into my yet-to-be-determined project, my preliminary goal is to identify a tooth sample that was extracted by a dentist. There are two roots, one mesial and one distal, with the mesial one larger and more strongly grooved. Interestingly, there also appear to be 6 cusps with a maintained talonid basin, in addition to a suspected carious lesion which is perhaps why the tooth was extracted in the first place. Yet my best guess so far is that this is a lower first molar (M1) which is typically rare to extract unless there is a specific orthodontic/occlusal reason to do so. Further, the end of the roots suggest that the lower M1 is in fact from a juvenile. The typical dentist might have filled the carious lesion - aka cavity - but in this case the tooth was extracted ... interesting! An aggressive dentist indeed!

Suspected lower M1 from a juvenile

Today I also made a mold of the tooth, took some key measurements (mesial-distal and buccal-lingual), and also took some cool photographs (see below)! Research details will continue as I work on my technique. Next step will be a Micro-CT scanner to completely visualize the tooth!

Suspected carious lesion, likely reason for extraction

Live imaging focusing on the carious lesion

Stay tuned!

E

Why are teeth Cool? 10 Reasons

As credited to Dr. Tanya Smith at Harvard, here are 10 cool and interesting reasons to study teeth and dental anthropology!

In other news, I'm taking her amazingly awesome course HEB 1421: Teeth -- check it out folks!

Me holding a tooth sample! Who knew roots were so much larger than the crown?

10) Abundance -- In many cases we have more fossilized teeth than living specimens. And in some cases of extinct species, all we have are their teeth!

9) Variation -- From variation in metric and non-metric data we can reconstruct phylogenies.

8) Development --As early as 10 weeks of fetal age, there are already signs of teeth buds! Further, the first (permanent) molars already appear 2-3 weeks before birth. Amazing!

Teeth morphology -- A small collection of Homo sapien teeth

7) Record-Keeping -- Using the 'birth certificate' embedded within our first molars and other cues we can determine approximate age at death with striking precision.

6) Forensics -- Aka forensic odontology aka everything you see on CSI, NCIS, and all those addicting, romanticized crime dramas. But seriously, you can reconstruct criminal events, identify remains, and even examine bite marks.

5) Aging -- Did you know that not everyone grows wisdom teeth, or grows all four of them? 3rd molar eruption is highly variable. Tooth wear in aged populations and calcification in juveniles can help determine age.

4) Stress & Disease -- Teratoma formation ... don't really want to elaborate

Our textbook -- does NOT compare to the online readings

3) Dietary Evidence -- Tooth chemistry, isotopic chemistry, micro and macroscopic wear. Also, more light and fun stuff like discoloration (er not quite fun) from coffee (very fun) and betelnuts (fun for some)!

2) Enamel Thickness -- Did you know that women have relatively more enamel, whereas men have relatively more dentine? Also, hominins have evolved to have really thick enamel.

1) Genetics -- Many dental traits and characteristics are indeed heritable. Shovel-shaped teeth, anyone?

And that's it folks! Come back soon for more!

E

19th Century Dental Instruments

So as I was going through my camera after visiting the Linnean Society in London, I completely forgot of the hundreds of gems (literal and non-literal) on display at the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons that I had documented. Now I present to you ... some of the most expensive and beautifully fashioned dental instruments ever created!

Set of dental instruments made of steel, mother of pearl and ivory
in a leatherette case (19th century).

Some particular items of note, however, were the great number of outdated dental instruments that are no longer used today. For instance, I came across the dental key, also known as the toothkey. Designed with the door key in mind, the dental key could be inserted horizontally into the mouth where a claw of sorts could be fitted over the tooth. Next, as you can imagine a key turning, the dental key could be turned to loosen tooth. Many cases in England have documented the fracturing of the tooth, fracturing of adjacent teeth, and fracturing of the jaw as a result of using the dental key. However, with the purpose of extracting teeth as a means of treating dental infections before the advent of antibiotics, the toothkey provided the best extraction technology of its time. The dental key, with continuously modified and improved designs, was used predominantly from the 18th through 19th centuries until the development and introduction of forceps.

Left: Vertical dental forceps made of steel
probably for removing small molars and pre molars (19th century).
Right: Modified form of a dental key made of ivory and steel,
probably used for removing molars (late 18th or early 19th century).

Below are photos of these quite exquisite 19th century dental instruments that were commonly used in England. Many are made of ivory and mother of pearl, which today would be rather expensive and - don't forget - illegal (oh the ivory!). Perhaps it was the British tradition, or perhaps it was just the norm in the 19th century to use such fine materials in constructing dental instruments of the Western world. Just take a look below -- don't these ornate instruments remind you of the gold and platinum dentures that were created specifically for Winston Churchill?

Dental instruments for filling and excavating teeth (19th century).

Set of instruments made of steel, silver, and mother of pearl
used for removing tartar from teeth (19th century).

Ivory, platinum, gold, mother of pearl ... mother of expenses!! Perhaps this is where the 'million dollar smile' originated. A great idea for my next idioms post!

E

Winston Churchill's Dentures

As I continue my mini-expeditions and my studies abroad in England, I've come across a number of hidden gems in the nation where it seems to rain everyday, relentlessly, despite my being from California ...

Just yesterday on the program sponsored trip to the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (don't you wish HMS had a museum?) I came across a few eye er mouth-catching exhibits. Naturally, the Royal College of Surgeons had to be in possession of the dentures of Winston Churchill, the man who led Great Britain during WWII. Even more naturally, the great man's dentures had to be one of the most stunning set of dentures I've ever laid eyes upon (pics below).

Interestingly, it's important to note that Churchill had either a stutter or a lisp, and that his dentures were fashioned to help overcome his impediment, not to mention help with mastication and self-esteem. That's proof to you folks who think that dentistry is mainly for the aesthetics! Perhaps King George VI too could have invested in a set a la The King's Speech. Just imagine watching a movie called The King's Dentures ... 

Anyways, here's what the description reads at the Royal College of Surgeons:

"Partial upper denture, with gold base, platinum clasps and mineral teeth, made for and worn by Sir Winston Churchill, c. 1941

Dentures like these are normally made to fit as closely as possible to the palate of the wearer. Churchill's denture  was different. To compensate for his natural lisp his was designed to leave a gap between the plate and the roof of his mouth, thereby enabling him to maintain his distinctive speaking style. Churchill's dentures were designed by his dentist, Wilfred Fish and made by Fish's dental technician, Derek Cudlipp."

And here are the pics folks! (click to enlarge)

Absolutely stunning! Now who wouldn't want a gold and platinum-laced mouth?

E

British Beginnings

Phew! It's been quite an exhausting day as I just finished my first day of work at the Natural History Museum in London!

To update you guys, after spending a full month and a half back home in sunny Los Angeles, I'm now across the pond (the Atlantic that is, not Pacific) where I'll be working in London for a bit before studying abroad at Queen's College at Oxford University! Very exciting! Also very expensive!!

Anyways, I'm sure that you've heard of the stereotype of British teeth as compared to American teeth. Apparently they're worse. Apparently, that may or may not be correct. I've only spent two full days here so far, and when people do smile (albeit rarely) their teeth seem perfectly normal to me! Time will certainly tell, and I'll be sure to create a post in the future after I've detailed a sufficient number of observations about the Brits and their ways. :)

Pics from the museum! (click to enlarge)

Natural History Museum -- London

Outside

Inside

Charles Darwin

Some good-looking guy

E

7/15 Update! Here's a link to the blog here at the Natural History Museum about my work as an intern!

http://wallaceletters.info/content/more-about-harvard-interns

Basically, there are 7 of us Harvardians doing some cheap but prestigious labor ... it's a pretty fun group (find my twitterlicious Twitter for the real deal) and now you can learn more about what I'm doing with regards to evolutionary biology!

E