Today micro-focus tomographic scanning methods are widely used in anthropological and palaeoanthropological research. Facilitating application of non-destructive study techniques, it provides essential, detailed and accurate data in terms of dental morphology. These features become of particular importance in studies of unique findings, such as presented in this paper Upper Palaeolithic Sunghirian samples. A range of techniques are applied to study 3D reconstructions of teeth; some of them are taken directly from traditional methods applied to physical objects, others developed on the bases provided by of digital techniques of image processing and analysis. However the majority of research techniques, especially those based on measurements, require appropriate orientation of the teeth being studied. In this regard it should be noted that human teeth have, different morphology which depends to a great extent on their position in arches; in addition teeth are composed of different tissues. Hence these determining factors influence variety of approaches to image processing. The current paper presents fully automated algorithm for orientation of canines, or more specifically, their coronal part composed of enamel. This provides data for 2D and 3D morphological studies usually related to evolutionary aspects or sexual dimorphism.

orientation of teeth, odontometry, 3d image analysis, micro-focus computed tomography, Sunghir

Gaboutchian Armen Vardgesovich,  ,  orcid.org/0000-0002-4076-772X,  Peoples Friendship University of Russia

Knyaz Vladimir Alexandrovich,  ,  orcid.org/0000-0002-4466-244X,  Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT); State Res. Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS)

Vasilyev Sergey Vladimirovich,  ,  Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology RAS

Maximov Anatoly Alexandrovich,  ,  State Res. Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS)

Korost Dmitri Vyacheslavovich,  ,  Lomonosov Moscow State University

Stepanov Nikita Valerievich,  ,  Lomonosov Moscow State University

Petrosyan Gohar Razmikovna,  ,  Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth RAS

Apresyan Samvel Vladislavovich,  ,  Peoples Friendship University of Russia