Quello che i Denti raccontano di Alessandro Farnese e Maria D'Aviz

Within archaeological contexts, teeth are an excellent way to study past peoples, because, being the hardest tissues in the body, they are preserved over time. The skulls of Alessandro Farnese and Maria D’aviz were examined and analysed through direct inspection, high-detailed photographs and radiographs at Center of Dental Medicine of University of Parma. Applying dental indexes to assess the dental and periodontal status of the couple, it was found out that the teeth of the Duke were free from caries, but affected by severe wear. On the contrary, the Princess was suffering from a severe form of periodontitis, responsible for the loss of some teeth and the loss of bone support for others, and from tooth decay. Through surveys on the nutrition and lifestyle of the two spouses, a correlation with their dental status has been hypothesized. Alessandro Farnese was probably used to consuming hard and unrefined foods, while Maria D’Aviz’s nutrition, also due to traditions linked to portuguese origin, was based on sugar-enriched dishes.