This segment explores the connexion between the number of teeth and facial size in modern humans. It uses a case-control study to show that individuals with tooth agenesis, the congenital absence of teeth, tend to have smaller facial structures, particularly in the maxilla. The study suggests that genes influencing tooth development also play a role in facial growth. Interestingly, the cranial base and mandible did not show a similar size reduction. The findings support the idea that the number of teeth and facial size are coordinated by shared genetic mechanisms, which have evolved over time as the human brain has enlarged and jaws have reduced. The study anticipates their findings to enrich the comprehension of the evolution and development of the human head.

• Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-58565-8
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