Dental morphology and tooth shape have been used to recreate the dietary adaptations for extinct species, and thus dental variation can provide information on the relationship between fossil species and their paleoenvironments. Variation in living species with known behaviors can provide a baseline for interpreting morphology, and behavior, in the fossil record. Tooth occlusal surface outlines in hominins and non-hominin primates, and other mammals, have been used for assessments of taxonomic significance, with variability often considered as being primarily phylogenetic. Few studies have attempted to assess how diet might influence the pattern of variability in closely related species. Here the occlusal surface shape variability in anterior and postcanine maxillary dentition in primates is measured to assess whether the relationship between diet and variability is consistent. Data were collected from five non-hominin primates in a range of dietary categories, as well as two hominin species, including the derived Paranthropus robustus and a gracile australopith. Mapping a series of 50 sliding semilandmarks based on 2-D photographs using tpsDig software, occlusal surfaces were outlined. Thereafter, outline shapes were quantified using Elliptical Fourier Functional Analysis, and principle components and multivariate analyses were preformed to explore the pattern of intra and interspecific variability in occlusal outlines.These results suggest that there is not a clear relationship between dietary feeding adaptations for all categories examined and selection for larger premolars and molars, as well as smaller incisors, led to less variation in both anterior and post-canine teeth of the fossil hominin Paranthropus robustus.

As cristas oclusais dos equinos surgiram no processo evolucionário da espécie para aumentar sua capacidade de pastoreio e de trituração. A diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários (cemento, dentina e esmalte) e a pressão mastigatória na superfície oclusal do dente hipsodonte promovem o aparecimento das cristas oclusais afiadas. O tratamento dentário visando o desgaste das desordens oclusais representa a melhor forma de evitar prejuízos digestórios e biomecânicos em cavalos de esporte. O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar e comparar a altura das cristas oclusais (ACO) do quarto pré-molar antes e após o tratamento de odontoplastia. Foram avaliadas 10 éguas da raça Mangalarga Marchador, na faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos, sob manejo extensivo, mensurando a altura da crista oclusal (ACO) do Triadan 408 por meio de modelos de gesso antes, imediatamente após, 15 dias e 50 dias após a odontoplastia. Logo após o procedimento a ACO era apenas 21,9% da ACO de antes do equilíbrio oclusal; contudo em 15 dias da odontoplastia, 65,9% da ACO já estava reestabelecida, e em 50 dias após o procedimento, 80,3% da ACO. As ACOs dos pontos bucais ressurgiram antes das ACOs linguais, sugerindo uma maior pressão mastigatória destes pontos bucais. A pressão mastigatória e a diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários oclusais favorece o rápido ressurgimento das cristas trituratórias. Conclui-se que aos 15 dias do tratamento dental, o equino já possui novamente capacidade trituratória do alimento, visto que ACO apresenta-se aparente na superfície oclusal do molar que sofreu odontoplastia. / The occlusal ridges of the equines appeared in the evolutionary process of the species to increase its capacity of grazing and trituration. The difference in hardness of dental tissues (cementum, dentin and enamel) and masticatory pressure on the occlusal surface of the hypsodont tooth promote the appearance of sharp occlusal ridges. Dental treatment aimed at the wearing down of occlusal disorders represents the best way to avoid digestive and biomechanical damages in sport horses, avoid severe fractures in molars. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the height of the occlusal ridges (HOR) of the fourth pre-molar before and after odontoplasty. Ten Mangalarga Marchador´s mares, aged 5 to 12 years, under extensive management, were evaluated by measuring the height of occlusal ridges (HOR) in Triadan 408, using plaster models before, immediately after, 15 days and 50 days after odontoplasty. Immediately after the procedure the HOR was only 21.9% of the HOR before the occlusal equilibration; however in 15 days of odontoplasty, 65.9% of HOR was already reestablished, and in 50 days after the procedure, 80.3% of HOR was. HOR in the buccal side resurfaced before the lingual HORs, suggesting the greater masticatory pressure of these buccal points. The masticatory pressure and the hardness difference of the occlusal dental tissues favors the rapid resurgence of the trituration ridges. It is concluded that 15 days after the dental treatment, the horse already has the triturational capacity of the food, since ACO is apparent on the occlusal surface of molar suffered in odontoplasty.

As cristas oclusais dos equinos surgiram no processo evolucionário da espécie para aumentar sua capacidade de pastoreio e de trituração. A diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários (cemento, dentina e esmalte) e a pressão mastigatória na superfície oclusal do dente hipsodonte promovem o aparecimento das cristas oclusais afiadas. O tratamento dentário visando o desgaste das desordens oclusais representa a melhor forma de evitar prejuízos digestórios e biomecânicos em cavalos de esporte. O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar e comparar a altura das cristas oclusais (ACO) do quarto pré-molar antes e após o tratamento de odontoplastia. Foram avaliadas 10 éguas da raça Mangalarga Marchador, na faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos, sob manejo extensivo, mensurando a altura da crista oclusal (ACO) do Triadan 408 por meio de modelos de gesso antes, imediatamente após, 15 dias e 50 dias após a odontoplastia. Logo após o procedimento a ACO era apenas 21,9% da ACO de antes do equilíbrio oclusal; contudo em 15 dias da odontoplastia, 65,9% da ACO já estava reestabelecida, e em 50 dias após o procedimento, 80,3% da ACO. As ACOs dos pontos bucais ressurgiram antes das ACOs linguais, sugerindo uma maior pressão mastigatória destes pontos bucais. A pressão mastigatória e a diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários oclusais favorece o rápido ressurgimento das cristas trituratórias. Conclui-se que aos 15 dias do tratamento dental, o equino já possui novamente capacidade trituratória do alimento, visto que ACO apresenta-se aparente na superfície oclusal do molar que sofreu odontoplastia. / The occlusal ridges of the equines appeared in the evolutionary process of the species to increase its capacity of grazing and trituration. The difference in hardness of dental tissues (cementum, dentin and enamel) and masticatory pressure on the occlusal surface of the hypsodont tooth promote the appearance of sharp occlusal ridges. Dental treatment aimed at the wearing down of occlusal disorders represents the best way to avoid digestive and biomechanical damages in sport horses, avoid severe fractures in molars. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the height of the occlusal ridges (HOR) of the fourth pre-molar before and after odontoplasty. Ten Mangalarga Marchador´s mares, aged 5 to 12 years, under extensive management, were evaluated by measuring the height of occlusal ridges (HOR) in Triadan 408, using plaster models before, immediately after, 15 days and 50 days after odontoplasty. Immediately after the procedure the HOR was only 21.9% of the HOR before the occlusal equilibration; however in 15 days of odontoplasty, 65.9% of HOR was already reestablished, and in 50 days after the procedure, 80.3% of HOR was. HOR in the buccal side resurfaced before the lingual HORs, suggesting the greater masticatory pressure of these buccal points. The masticatory pressure and the hardness difference of the occlusal dental tissues favors the rapid resurgence of the trituration ridges. It is concluded that 15 days after the dental treatment, the horse already has the triturational capacity of the food, since ACO is apparent on the occlusal surface of molar suffered in odontoplasty.

As cristas oclusais dos equinos surgiram no processo evolucionário da espécie para aumentar sua capacidade de pastoreio e de trituração. A diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários (cemento, dentina e esmalte) e a pressão mastigatória na superfície oclusal do dente hipsodonte promovem o aparecimento das cristas oclusais afiadas. O tratamento dentário visando o desgaste das desordens oclusais representa a melhor forma de evitar prejuízos digestórios e biomecânicos em cavalos de esporte. O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar e comparar a altura das cristas oclusais (ACO) do quarto pré-molar antes e após o tratamento de odontoplastia. Foram avaliadas 10 éguas da raça Mangalarga Marchador, na faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos, sob manejo extensivo, mensurando a altura da crista oclusal (ACO) do Triadan 408 por meio de modelos de gesso antes, imediatamente após, 15 dias e 50 dias após a odontoplastia. Logo após o procedimento a ACO era apenas 21,9% da ACO de antes do equilíbrio oclusal; contudo em 15 dias da odontoplastia, 65,9% da ACO já estava reestabelecida, e em 50 dias após o procedimento, 80,3% da ACO. As ACOs dos pontos bucais ressurgiram antes das ACOs linguais, sugerindo uma maior pressão mastigatória destes pontos bucais. A pressão mastigatória e a diferença de dureza dos tecidos dentários oclusais favorece o rápido ressurgimento das cristas trituratórias. Conclui-se que aos 15 dias do tratamento dental, o equino já possui novamente capacidade trituratória do alimento, visto que ACO apresenta-se aparente na superfície oclusal do molar que sofreu odontoplastia. / The occlusal ridges of the equines appeared in the evolutionary process of the species to increase its capacity of grazing and trituration. The difference in hardness of dental tissues (cementum, dentin and enamel) and masticatory pressure on the occlusal surface of the hypsodont tooth promote the appearance of sharp occlusal ridges. Dental treatment aimed at the wearing down of occlusal disorders represents the best way to avoid digestive and biomechanical damages in sport horses, avoid severe fractures in molars. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the height of the occlusal ridges (HOR) of the fourth pre-molar before and after odontoplasty. Ten Mangalarga Marchador´s mares, aged 5 to 12 years, under extensive management, were evaluated by measuring the height of occlusal ridges (HOR) in Triadan 408, using plaster models before, immediately after, 15 days and 50 days after odontoplasty. Immediately after the procedure the HOR was only 21.9% of the HOR before the occlusal equilibration; however in 15 days of odontoplasty, 65.9% of HOR was already reestablished, and in 50 days after the procedure, 80.3% of HOR was. HOR in the buccal side resurfaced before the lingual HORs, suggesting the greater masticatory pressure of these buccal points. The masticatory pressure and the hardness difference of the occlusal dental tissues favors the rapid resurgence of the trituration ridges. It is concluded that 15 days after the dental treatment, the horse already has the triturational capacity of the food, since ACO is apparent on the occlusal surface of molar suffered in odontoplasty.