3.2.1 Dentition

The left and right maxillae are eroded and the anterior tooth sockets are only partially present. The left maxillary central and lateral incisor and canine sockets are not visible due to erosion. Maxillary teeth present include the left central incisor, canine, second premolar and first molar and the right central incisor, canine and first molar. The right central incisor is represented by the crown only. The left and right second and third molars, the right second premolar and the left first premolar have been lost antemortem with complete or near complete resorption of the sockets. The left and right first molars have large periapical abscesses that have penetrated the floor of the maxillary sinuses. The mostly remodeled socket of the right second molar also shows an abscess that penetrated the sinus cavity. The left maxillary first molar has a small carious lesion on its buccal surface.

The mandible is better preserved than the maxillae and a majority of the teeth are represented. Teeth present include the left canine, first and second premolars and first and second molars and the right central incisor through the second molar. The left central incisor was lost antemortem and the socket shows complete resorption. The left and right third molars were also lost antemortem and both sockets are partially resorbed. The left central incisor has been lost postmortem. Two teeth, the right central incisor and the left canine, have lost their crowns postmortem and are represented by their roots only.

Eight mandibular teeth were scored for carious lesions. The crown of the left second molar was completely destroyed by caries. The remaining carious teeth have interproximal and root lesions. The pattern of destruction reflects moderately advanced resorption of the gums, which has exposed the tooth roots allowing decay to occur. The most severe root lesion is on the left first molar. This cavity has undermined the crown on the distal interproximal surface resulting in pulp exposure and abscessing.

Moderate levels of calculus are noted on the teeth. Deposits on the lingual surfaces of the mandibular dentition are coalesced around the tooth roots indicating moderate to severe resorption of the alveolar bone.

Diastemas measuring approximately 3 mm in width are present between the mandibular canines and first premolars. These spaces developed from habitually holding a pipe stem between these sets of teeth. The mandibular dentition has multiple pipe facets characterized by pronounced mesial and distal notching of several tooth crowns. Four pipe facets are present. A large facet is formed by distal-occlusal wear on the right canine and mesial wear on the right first premolar. A second smaller facet is formed by distal wear on the right lateral incisor and mesial edge wear on the right canine. A third pipe facet is indicated by pronounced mesial edge wear on the left first premolar. A fourth facet is formed by moderate distal wear of the left second premolar and slight mesial wear on the occlusal surface of the left first molar. On the maxillary dentition, only the left second incisor has marked distal wear indicative of a pipe facet.