@misc{10481/106122,
year = {2025},
month = {7},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/106122},
abstract = {Objectives: Here, we present the findings of an incipient caries lesion on a permanent upper left second molar attributed to an
adult male Neandertal individual from El Sidrón Cave. This study presents new data regarding the antiquity of human caries lesions, their development, and the possibility of the para-masticatory behavior component as a contributory factor in their origin,
at least in Homo neanderthalensis.
Materials and Methods: The tooth was examined using a μCT scan to confirm the lesion and to evaluate its extent. Element
chemical analysis was performed to check the decalcification on both the lesion edges and pristine surfaces (as carious lesions
often involve demineraization of the tissues) using an environmental scanning electron microscope.
Results: The lesion was located on the occlusal surface on the protocone cusp, a small furrow filled with sediment, 2.6mm in
length and 0.78mm in width, and mineral loss on the white surrounding area compared to the apparently intact adjacent enamel.
Discussion: This pit lesion resembles the appearance of other Neandertal carious lesions, all from temperate environments.
Calcium and phosphorus loss has been documented as has been characterized on dental caries. Regarding the etiology, we propose that an intense masticatory and para-masticatory activity combined with evidence for a mixed diet with a high carbohydrate
component, the molar tooth may have developed a crack lesion, which was then colonized by a bacterial biofilm that deepened
into the dentine and developed this small channel-shaped caries.},
organization = {Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación MICINN/ FEDER - Fundación Parlaq (Projects CGL2016-75109-P and PID2021-122356NB-100)},
organization = {MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 - FSE (grant. RYC2022-038373-I)},
publisher = {Wiley Periodicals LLC},
keywords = {Dental wear},
keywords = {Homo neanderthalensis},
keywords = {Pleistocene},
keywords = {Tooth decay},
title = {Brief Communication: An Incipient Coronal Caries Lesion on a Neandertal Molar Tooth From El Sidrón Cave (Northern Spain)},
doi = {10.1002/ajpa.70088},
author = {Estalrrich, Almudena and Alarcón Pérez, José Antonio and García Tabernero, Antonio and Rosas, Antonio},
}