Visualizing Molar Occlusion and Function: Application of Laser and CAD-CAM Technology

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This project is to develop techniques to visualize the occlusion of primate molar teeth. The movement of the jaws in mastication is a highly complex phenomenon and one of considerable interest to anthropologists as the movements are related to tooth shape and to diet. Since the primate fossil record is largely composed of dental remains, understanding the relationship of tooth shape, function and diet is a central one. Here a three-dimensional scanning device will be used to digitize the surface morphology of occluding molars from two species which differ in dietary preferences: Saimiri, a frugivorous-insectivorous New World Monkey and Ateles, a frugivore. The researchers will then attempt to use the digitized models to simulate phases in occlusion. A museum series of teeth will then be examined to study the effects of wear on the fit of teeth during occlusion. This information will assist in deciphering the dietary adaptations of living and extinct primates.