EAT

Examination of alveolar and trabecular morphology and how it relates to masticatory forces

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The adaptation to different diets is a major driving force in mammalian evolution. Mammals have occupied extremely diverse dietary niches that require different masticatory functions. The diversity in mammalian skull and tooth morphology reflects these different feeding adaptations, but key questions remain unanswered: How are chewing forces transferred from the teeth through the jaws? What role does the tooth morphology play in the distribution of these forces? How does the bone in the jaws adapt to different forces? And can we use these adaptations to reconstruct the feeding behaviour of extinct species?

EAT will address these questions by examining the internal jaw morphology of mammal species with very different and well-known feeding adaptations in order to understand the link between bone morphology, tooth morphology and masticatory forces. It will achieve this by mechanical experiments and the use of state-of-the-art methods such as the 3D analysis of high-resolution image data and computer modelling. These methods are well-established in biomedical research, but, despite their potential, not yet widely used in comparative studies. By applying these methods, EAT will provide new insights into the functional adaptations of the masticatory apparatus and explore their application in future studies in the field of functional morphology.

In addition, EAT will strengthen the links between the host institution in the UK and collaborators in Germany and support the applicant in gaining independence and key skills for taking up a permanent position after the integration period. To assist this, the host institution will provide dedicated facilities and additional support to assist in the applicant’s integration.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

European scientists developed computer models to investigate how the internal structure of the jaw bone adapts to the ways in which different mammals chew and to study the biomechanics of orthodontic tooth movement.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

During evolution, mammals have adapted to very different diets. These feeding adaptations are reflected by the diversity in mammalian skull and tooth morphology. However, the relationship between chewing forces and the shape and internal morphology of the jaw bones is not clear, but could help us reconstruct the feeding behaviour of extinct species and better understand the resorption of alveolar bone that is a common cause of tooth loss in the elderly.

In this context, the EU-funded 'Examination of alveolar and trabecular morphology and how it relates to masticatory forces' (EAT) project examined the internal jaw morphology of different mammals to understand the link between bone morphology and masticatory forces.

The consortium used high-resolution micro-computed tomography imaging to analyse the jaw morphology of different mammalian species including humans, and applied new methods to analyse the trabecular network and thickness of surrounding cortical bone. They also employed magnetic resonance imaging scanning and dynamic computer modelling to generate detailed musculoskeletal models of the whole skull. These models were used to simulate masticatory function and thus make accurate predictions of tooth loading during mastication.

Further efforts were devoted to understand orthodontic tooth movement and the role of the periodontal ligament (PDL) fibres in transferring the load from the teeth to the surrounding alveolar bone of the tooth socket. PDL is the fibrous connective tissue that fills the space between the tooth root and the alveolar bone. The scientists showed that by modelling the fibrous structure of the PDL, the alveolar bone is loaded in a way that is not predicted by current hypotheses about the mechanics of orthodontic tooth movement.

Taken together, the EAT observations provide important insight into the functional adaptations of the masticatory apparatus in relation to feeding habits and have implications for orthodontic treatments. The generated biomechanical animal models could be further applied in research into animal health and help to reduce the need for in vivo animal models.