Objectives:

Determining the frequency and variability of twelve crown morphologic dental traits (Winging, shovel-shape, doublé shovel shape, Carabelli´s trait, groove pattern, cusp number, trigonid distal crest, deflecting wrinkle, protostylid, sixth cusp and seventh cusp) in deciduous (ui1/ui2/um2/lm2) and permanent (UI1/UI2/UM1/LM1) teeth, to understand the ethnic influence and the biological distance of three indigenous groups of the Colombian Amazons.

Material and methods:

In this descriptive and quantitative study, frequency and variability of twelve non-metric dental crown traits were observed, through the Hanihara, Dahlberg, Sciulli, Grine and ASUDAS Systems, in dental casts from 96 children from three indigenous groups of the Colombian Amazons, of both genders, in mixed-dentition and belonging to the Ticuna, Huitoto and Cocama ethnic groups.

Results:

High frequencies of winging, shovel-shape, double shovel shape, furrows and pits of the Carabelli´s trait, Y6 and Y7 groove pattern, deflecting wrinkle, protostylid and sixth cusp, are typical of the dental morphology of the Mongoloid dental complex - Sinodonty subdivision were observed. Significant frequencies of the +6 and +7 groove pattern and of the 7 cusp suggests miscegenation. Biological likeness exists among the three indigenous groups, and bilateral symmetry and absence of sexual dimorphism was demonstrated.