Dentofacial biometry as a discriminant factor in the identification of remote Amazon indigenous populations.

Renata Travassos da Rosa Moreira Bastos, José Valladares Neto, David Normando

Journal: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics 2020;157(5):619-630

PMID: 32354435

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to examine the role of dentofacial morphology in discriminating semi-isolated indigenous groups. These populations present a similar pattern of dietary habits. Studies in human genetics have reported a large intertribal genetic distance and low intratribal variation.

METHODS

This study was conducted following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Face dimensions were measured through facial photogrammetry, and dental arches and tooth size were evaluated using plaster models. A total of 98 subjects in the permanent dentition and belonging to 4 indigenous groups were analyzed: Arara-Iriri (n = 20), Arara-Laranjal (n = 33), Assurini (n = 25), and Xicrin-Kayapó (n = 20). The random and systematic errors were verified using the Dahlberg formula and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. In order to evaluate the discrimination of the variables to identify the indigenous groups, a discriminant analysis was performed (P <0.05).

RESULTS

A small causal error (Dahlberg, 0.13-1.81) and excellent replicability (ICC, 0.75-0.99) for face dimensions as well as for models (Dahlberg, 0.10-0.68; ICC, 0.94-0.99) were observed. The discriminant analysis allowed the identification of 4 populations by facial and dental arch dimensions and tooth size. Dentofacial biometry revealed an accuracy of 98% for females and 100% for males, which confirms a high intragroup homogeneity and considerable intergroup heterogeneity for dentofacial features.

CONCLUSIONS

Biometric measurements of the human face added with tooth size and dental arch dimensions are very useful to identify remote indigenous populations with high accuracy. Supported by previous studies in human genetics, these findings reinforce the role of genetic variation in the determination of dentofacial features.

Address: Private practice, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Department of Orthodontics, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.; Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.; Department of Orthodontics, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2019.05.016

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MeSH Terms: Biometry, Dental Arch, Face, Female, Humans, Indians, South American, Male, Photogrammetry, Population Groups