Tooth wear and the position of the mental foramen

Variation in the position of the mental foramen with respect to the teeth ("apparent" position) seems to be associated with race, but in the determination of this position, factors which affect the disposition of the teeth plainly have a bearing on the results. The apparent position was investigated in a sample of southern Chinese skulls of known age which were classified by the degree of tooth wear. Controlling for "true" position and size of the mandible, a highly significant correlation between wear and position was found, age and tooth size having no significant contribution as additional explanatory variables. The effect of tooth wear on the apparent position of the foramen may partly explain racial variation.