Tinciones dentales exógenasA Propósito de un Caso del Museo de Antropología Médica y Forense de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Abstract

Taking into consideration their special characteristics, the teeth, and the stomatognathic system in general, constitute an excellent record for almost every research based on the Identification, Necroidentification, Anthropology, Palaeoanthropology, and Palaeopathology, including the studies on populations. The origin of the dental stainings can be exogenous or endogenous. At the same time, taphonomy, occupational, and dietary causes, together with habits, parafunctions, etc, can cause unintentional dental stainings. Aesthetic or ritualistic purposes can lead to intentional dental stainings. A case of dental staining present in a human skull currently belonging to the collection of the Medical and Forensic Anthropology Museum in the Universidad Complutense of Madrid is presented. Macroscopic and radiographic studies are being executed. The macroscopic and radiographic data confirm the diagnosis of an unintentional exogenous staining due to a continuous action of chewing areca and betel. That habit of a continuous chewing of areca nut (Areca catechu) and betel leaves (Piper betle) is common in Asia due to the narcotic and stimulant properties of both elements, and one of its consequences is a staining of teeth which ranges from deep-red to black, as seen in the skull 336 in the collection of the Medical and Forensic Anthropology Museum.