University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-1998 A Biocultural Analysis of Intentional Dental Modifications Derek Christiaan Benedix University of Tennessee - Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Benedix, Derek Christiaan, "A Biocultural Analysis of Intentional Dental Modifications. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1998. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3240 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Derek Christiaan Benedix entitled "A Biocultural Analysis of Intentional Dental Modifications." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Michael H. Logan, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Murray K. Marks, Walter E. Klippel Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Derek Christiaan Benedix entitled "A Biocultural Analysis of Intentional Dental Modifications." I have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. We have read this thesis and recommend its ace Accepted for the Council: Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of The Graduate School A Biocultural Analysis of Intentional Dental Modifications A Thesis Presented for the Master of Arts Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Derek Christiaan Benedix May 1998 • Copyright© Derek Christiaan Benedix, 1998 All rights reserved 11 Dedication As a mentor and friend, Dr. Murray K. Marks has taught me to "appreciate the variation" in everything. I cannot thank him enough for all the opportunities he has given to me throughout the past four years. It is with utmost respect and admiration that I dedicate this thesis to him. 111 Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge many people who helped me complete all the requirements for my Master's degree. First and foremost, I want to thank the members of my committee: Dr. Michael H. Logan, for sharing his knowledge and insight with me while helping formulate many of the ideas this thesis draws upon; Dr. Murray K. Marks, for being a great advisor, teacher, mentor, and friend; and Dr. Walter E. Klippel, for teaching me above and beyond the world of zooarchaeology. I would also like to thank two people who helped steer me in the direction of anthropology: Jim Woods and Bill West of the Herrett Center for Arts and Sciences and the College of Southern Idaho, respectively. I also appreciate the help given to me by Dr. Guillermo Mata Amado and Brisa Escalona. Additionally, I thank Dr. Michael Keene and Stephanie Gibbs for editing many preliminary drafts of this thesis. Thanks to all my colleagues and friends throughout the years (you know who you are). To my sisters, Gretchen and Meghan, I extend a great deal of thanks. You helped me cope through both good and bad. Because of you I am a better person. Additionally I acknowledge my mother and father, Miss Vicki and The Rev. I would not be the person I am today without all the love and kindness you showered upon me throughout my life. Thank you for teaching and guiding me. lV And last, but not least, I would like to thank Mary, my wife, for helping me get through this academic period. You have been the source of great inspiration and have consoled me through thick and thin. v Abstract When we consider how painful dental drilling is now in spite of the advances of science with respect to anesthesia and modern instruments, we cannot help but think how much those people must have suffered from the filing and dental preparations which were performed. (Fastlicht 1948:319) Human teeth provide an excellent source of information about an individual's past. Because of this, scientists study the range of characteristics manifested in teeth. One such characteristic is dental modification. Modification of the human dentition has a long and varied history in numerous cultures (see Milner and Larsen 1991). This study explores the practice and theorizes on the purposes of dental modifications from a biocultural viewpoint. There are three relevant questions to this endeavor: What, if any, are the consequences accompanying the alteration of teeth? What are the biosocial benefits associated with modified dentitions? Is this custom a maladaptive trait? A definition of dental art is presented along with an historical overview of this practice. This thesis also provides a review of relevant literature on dental modification. The effects of dental alterations on the oral complex are then discussed, including their hygienic, morphological, and histological impacts. Lastly, a theoretical discussion is offered on the reasons why some cultures engaged in this practice, and why some contemporary societies still do. New areas of research on this subject are also advanced. VL Table of Contents Chapter Page 1 Introduction: A brief overview of dental anthropology.............. 1 What is the history of the study of teeth?.................................. 1 Why are teeth studied and what can be learned?.................... 2 Bioculturalism in anthropology................................................. 2 What is intentional dental modification?................................ 4 Effects of dental modifications on the oral complex............... 7 2 Oral histology and dental anatomy................................................... 16 Terms and tissues.......................................................................... 16 3 Pathologies in modified teeth.............................................................. 21 The intentional filing, inlaying, and/or ablation (evulsion) of teeth increases the likelihood of pathology to the orofacial com.plex................ ....... .. .. ...... .... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ....... .. .. ... .. ... ... .. ....... 21 Pathological reactions of orofacial complex in response to intentional dental modifications ........ ........................................ 22 Evidence of orofacial pathology directly associated with intentional dental modifications ................................................ 23 � . 4 Discussion.... ................................................ ........................................ .. 28 Why do dental modifications occur? .............................. ........... 28 Who possesses altered teeth? .......... .... ...... .. ...... ... .. .... ...... ... .. .. .. .. 29 Reasons for dental modification.................................................. 30 Methods of modification............................................................... 35 Distribution of intentionally modified teeth............................ 37 Temporal and spatial dimensions....................................... 37 Maladaptive traits.......................................................................... 39 What is maladaptive?...................................................... ........ 39 What is the power of conformity?........................................ 44 Theoretical implications ................................................................ 47 5 Conclusions and summary........... .......... .............................................. 50 Bibliography.......................................................................................................... 54 Vim.......................................................................................................................... 66 vii List of Figures Figure Page 1.1 The oral complex................................................................................. 6 1.2 Diagram of longitudinal section of enamel, dentine, pulp, and cementum..................................................................................... 10 1.3 Thin section of tooth showing dentine in its three forms: primary (A), secondary (C), and tertiary (B) ................. ................ 11 1.4 Mineral inlays on labial side of anterior maxillary teeth. .. ... .... 13 1.5 Mineral inlay on maxillary canine. .. ................................... ......... .. 14 2.1 Diagram of tertiary dentine forming to protect pulp... .. ... ...... ... 20 . 3.1 Periapical abscessing on maxillary alveolar bone above right central incisor and left central and lateral incisors............ 24 4.1 Tribal identification patterns in intentional tooth mod�fications of African groups...................................................... 33 4.2 Detail of fresco showing apparent tooth filing.... ........... .... .. ........ 46 Vlll Chapter 1 Introduction: A brief overview of Dental Anthropology What is the history of the study of teeth? The study of human teeth has an important scholarly history in biological anthropology. Because teeth are comprised of the hardest substance in the human body