Craniofacial Evolution and Alveolar Bone Loss: A Lesson From Hominins

The presented data show that Homo species developed significant AB loss. The data propose that random mutations of genes controlling odontometric values selected for a reduction of the size of the crowns during hominins' evolution. Smaller crowns ultimately resulted in weaker masticatory forces yet allowing masticatory function and thus survival in the presence of AB loss. Together with the speciation of smaller crowns, with reduction of masticatory muscle mass and thus masticatory forces, there was a reduction of prognathism leading to calvarial expansion with subsequent encephalization, speciating the Homo clade and later, the emergence of Homo sapiens.