ASPECTS OF TEETH FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SWEDEN AND DENMARK

The purpose of this study was to examine ground sections of primary se cond molars and permanent first molars from die same jaws. Teeth from 11 individuals were collected from archaeologic sites in Sweden and De nmark. Longitudinal buccolingual sections were examined in a polarizat ion light microscope and in a Philips scanning electron microscope (SE M). The seven teeth from Sweden appeared to have been subjected to env ironmental influences at their burial site which had affected both the dentin and the enamel. The teeth from the Danish sires had a normal c olor. and no disintegration of the dentin was seen. The general morpho logic appearance was; normal in all primary and permanent teeth. The p osition of tile neonatal line indicated a normal full-term gestational age. The observed accentuated incremental lines in both the primary a nd permanent enamel suggested periods of dietary changes. possibly rel ated to periods of illness. SEM images of the surface area of the Swed ish teeth showed an extremely porous enamel surface with severe change s in the prism structure as an effect of acid penetration. The Danish teeth did not show any marked changes in the enamel.