Protocol, Potentials, and Limitations of Ancient Teeth 3D Printing
Alfonso-Durruty, Marta
Kansas State University
Misarti, Nicole
University of Alaska System
Vilar, Miguel G.
National Geographic Society
Headley, Dustin
Turf Design
Journal
Archaeologies
ISSN
1555-8622
1935-3987
Open Access
closed
Volume
14
Start page
299
End page
316
Bioarchaeological analyses of teeth rely traditionally on noninvasive methods that reveal essential information about past individuals and populations. Methodological developments have revolutionized the discipline, but their application is commonly invasive and destructive. The resulting loss of material and information can be buffered through 3D technology applications. Although useful, it is essential that we carefully assess the reliability of these methods, in order to understand what data are preserved and which ones are lost through their application. This study offers a protocol for the implementation of 3D technology in the fabrication of ancient teeth analogs. Analog accuracy was assessed by comparing metric and non-metric traits between the originals and their respective analogs. Results showed that metric traits preserved well, but the preservation of non-metric traits was partially hindered.