CHAPTER VIII 



ANOMALIES OF THE HUMAN DENTITION 



Significance of anomalies — Increased number of incisors — 

 Imperfect developmental subdivision of teeth — Para-pre- 

 molars — Variations of the third molar — Accessory molars — 

 Instability of the second and third Molars — Increase of 

 cusps — Paramolars — Retention of deciduous teeth. 



In the explanation of variations in number, position and 

 form of the human teeth dental surgeons have before them an 

 interesting and difficult study and it is much to be regretted 

 that the frequency of occurrence of these anomalies does not 

 stimulate to investigation, more than has been the case hitherto, 

 those who are brought constantly into touch with these abnormal- 

 ities in the course of their daily routine. Too often the valuable 

 data to be obtained only by the dentist arc lost or irrevocably 

 destroyed in consequence of the Avidespread tendency to con- 

 sider anomalies merely as freaks. Professor Bolk of Amster- 

 dam has recently given much attention to this subject and has 

 published highly original and stimulating A T iews Avhich should 

 encourage more general research along the line of anomalies 

 of teeth. There is no doubt that certain A^ariations are sim- 

 ply sports but the fact that some fall into this category is by 

 no means justification for considering as such all departures 

 from the normal. We are handicapped at present by lack of 

 sufficient information regarding the A T ariations in teeth among 

 other Mammals. That Man is not isolated in this respect is 

 indicated by many scattered published notes of similar anomalies 

 occurring in other families and in many orders of Mammals. In 

 Anthropoids especially deviations from the normal dentition 

 have been recorded but one learns occasionally of abnormali- 



