Developmental defects of the dental crown in chimpanzees from the Taï National Park, Côte D'ivoire: Coronal waisting

Researchers have identified a developmental defect in chimpanzees from Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, characterized by a mild constricted 'waist' on anterior teeth. This condition, observed in 12 out of 23 teeth examined, manifests as an external depression in the enamel surface, more pronounced labially, and is not due to thinning of enamel but rather a slight decrement in dentinal crown volume. MicroCT scans revealed that this defect occurs between 3 and 6 years of age, with maximum expression around 4.3 years, coinciding with the weaning process in chimpanzees. The study suggests that coronal waisting may record physiological experiences during the transition to independence and increased foraging efficiency.

Skinner, M. F., Skinner, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2012). Developmental defects of the dental crown in chimpanzees from the Taï National Park, Côte D’ivoire: Coronal waisting. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 149(2), 272–282. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22123