Cingulum Tooth Development To Population Variation: An Anthropological Review

Abstract

The cingulum is a noticeable feature found on the back (lingual or palatal) surface of front teeth, appearing as a small raised ridge near the gum line. It develops from the lingual growth center of the tooth and helps shape the tooth, guide the bite, strengthen the tooth, and protect the gums. Although it is sometimes overlooked in everyday dental work, the cingulum is important in many fields, including fillings and crowns (restorative dentistry), braces (orthodontics), root canal treatment (endodontics), and even forensic studies. Problems during development can cause changes such as a talon cusp—an extra bump growing from the cingulum area—which can affect the bite, increase the risk of decay, and sometimes involve the tooth’s nerve.

The study focuses on two female groups- Brahmins and Rajputs of Lucknow, aged between 6 to 25 yrs. The total sample size is 600 (300 females per group). The data has been collected from schools, various households and offices across the city.

This review brings together information about its anatomy, how it develops, how its shape varies in different populations, it also highlights future research needs, especially connecting how teeth develop at the molecular level with how they work and have evolved.