Description
Since the 1970’s computerised tomography (CT) has become a well-established imaging technique in paleopathological and anthropological examination, and is able to non-invasively generate large amounts of data. Current multi-detector row CT and post-processing applications enable the manipulation of this data, allowing high definition images to be generated in multiple planes and three-dimensional formats.CT evaluations of Egyptian mummies have included studies of the oral and dental status, as studying the dentition provides an excellent gauge of the effects of both the environment as well as certain hereditary disorders. Sophisticated software packages permit curve-reformatted orthopantomographic reconstructions, making it possible to explore the dental arches in considerable detail.
This paper presents a review of the dental status of a number of Egyptian mummies including some of the earliest CT scans that were performed, to recent images from the CT scan of Meresamun in Chicago, using the latest 256-slice iCT scanner.
Findings from these studies reveal widespread wear on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth; periapical lesions are evident in many dentitions, but a low incidence of caries was recorded. Also the extensive post-mortem facial surgery performed on Djehutynakht, a Middle Kingdom mummy and the extraordinary findings of teeth inserted into the cranial cavity of a Roman period mummy.
| Period | 6 May 2010 |
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| Held at | National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt |