Abstract
Study of dental morphology or characteristics refers to phylogenetic data
related to different species. The morphology of a tooth is affected by the genetic
constitution, environmental factors, habit of digit sucking, and a variety of
parafunctional habits. Tooth development is a long process that involves interactions at
molecular and cellular levels, which are influenced by environmental, genetic, and
epigenetic factors. Human dentition is undergoing constant evolutionary changes.
However, these changes are occurring at different rates in different geographical
populations. Knowledge and information about the morphological features of each
primary tooth are crucial for pediatric operative dentistry and forensic dentistry. The
mesiodistal dimensions of individual teeth provide important information related to
human evolution. The differences in tooth eruption, shape, and size can reflect the
process of evolution and provide a method of studying evolutionary mechanisms.
Measurements of teeth and dental arches have been used for the description and
comparison of different populations or racial groups.