Inter- and intra-population variability of dentition

The human dentition exhibits morphological variability that can be evaluated at various levels. Essentially, two levels can be distinguished. The first one is the inter-population level, which deals with the comparison of two or more populations. The second one is the intra-population level, which deals with the evaluation of the dentition of genetically related and unrelated individuals. Dental morphological traits that can be evaluated include discrete dental traits and odontometric traits. An important feature of these traits is their genetic determination and heritability. As a result, they can be used as indicators of kinship. The use of morphological traits of dentition in population studies has its advantages but also some pitfalls. The main advantage lies in the fact that visual scoring of dental morphological traits is relatively technically undemanding and non-destructive. Another advantage is preservability of teeth in the archaeological and fossil record due to durability of the enamel. The main disadvantage of visual scoring is its dependency on the subjective view of the observer. Scoring can also be negatively influenced by tooth wear. To achieve a comprehensive view on the variability of dentition, it is also beneficial to understand the factors that affect its formation. Key words:..