Supernumerary fourth molar and dental pathologies in a Chalcolithic individual from the El Mirador Cave site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)

Abstract

We present a middle-aged Chalcolithic male with a supernumerary distomolar in the mandible. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in present-day populations is low, ranging from 0.1% to 3.4%; most supernumerary teeth are documented in the anterior and molar regions of the maxilla in present populations. However, the prevalence of supernumerary molars in past populations is still unknown. Moreover, a complete pathological study has been done of this individual. Maxilla, mandible and teeth have been analyzed searching for dental pathologies. A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis of mandibular and maxillary fragments was performed to check the evidence of hyperdontia. Dental wear and maxillary alveolar bone have been analyzed with environmental scanning electron. microscope (ESEM) to improve the diagnosis of an abscess and evidence of tooth picking. This individual shows a left distomolar in the mandible without any evidence of other supernumerary teeth. The fourth molar is not associated with any congenital disease. However, this individual suffered severe dental wear and a variety of oral pathologies such as, dental decay, abscesses, pulpitis, periodontal disease, toothpicking marks in an upper molar, arthritis of the temporomandibular joint and malocclusion associated with high masticatory loads. To our knowledge, this individual from El Mirador Cave (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) shows the most ancient case of a fourth molar documented. The poor oral health of this individual corresponds to the general dental health of Chalcolithic populations.