Prevalence and description of dental disorders in skulls of free-living wild primates from Paraná State, Brazil.

BACKGROUND

Non-human primates can present oral diseases. However, differences among the dentition of the various species make it difficult to understand their dental features and associated diseases. This research hypothesizes that the prevalence of dental disorders varies in the species studied according to distinct types of diet.

METHODS

Forty-five syncraniums of the species Alouatta caraya, Alouatta guariba clamitans, Sapajus nigritus, Callithrix jacchus, and Callithrix penicillata were evaluated by visual inspection, magnifying glasses, and on cone-beam computed tomography.

RESULTS

Disorders identified consisted of missing teeth before death, agenesis, dental calculus, dental wear, dental staining, dental fracture, exposure of pulp chamber, alveolar bone resorption, tooth discoloration, and persistence of deciduous teeth. Alouatta guariba clamitans presented the most disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that neotropical primates have a high prevalence of dental changes, even in free-living conditions, and that the differences observed among them may be associated with different diet patterns.