Thegotics

Thegotics is the field of study concerned with the morphological, functional, evolutionary and behavioural elements of thegosis and the treatment of its related physical, emotional, and social pathology.^[1]^[2]^[3]

History

In 1958, at a dental conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, Dr. R.G. Every, made the claim that human tooth grinding was actually tooth sharpening, The biological relevance of this behaviour and its clinical significance, was published in The Lancet.^[2]

Homer first documented the phenomena of a particular tooth-sharpening behaviour in the Iliad. The Greek word to describe this behaviour is thego meaning: to whet and sharpen, and metaphorically, to excite and provoke.^[1]

Many animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates, have evolved this behaviour. It provides the same biological advantage: shaping and sharpening teeth and tooth-like structures as tools. In some instances, as efficient weapons.^[4]^[3]^[5]

Critical review

There has been general acceptance of the phenomenon in some scientific disciplines but in the medical science disciplines, there has been criticism of the biological role of the phenomenon in humans.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Every, R.G. (1972). A new terminology for mammalian teeth: founded on the phenomenon of thegosis (Parts 1 & 2 ed.). New Zealand: Pegasus Press, Christchurch, New Zealand.
^ ^a ^b Every, R.G. (1965). "The teeth as weapons: their influence on behaviour". The Lancet. 285 (7387): 1:685–688. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(65)91837-4. PMID 14258553.
^ ^a ^b Tunnicliffe G.A., Every R.G. (1974). Audiospectrographic Analysis and Behavioural Significance of Thegotic Sounds. Journal of Dental Research. pp. 53:710–710.
^ Tunnicliffe, G. (1973). Observations on the phylogenesis of thegosis. Journal of Dental Research. pp. 52:583–583.
^ Scally, K.B. (1973). Thegosis in the Sea Urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Val.). Echinodermata: Echinoidea. Journal of Dental Research 1973. pp. 52:583–583.
^ Scally, K.B. (1991). Bruxism A Worn Out Concept – A Guest Editorial. Cranio. pp. 9:183–185.

[:0-1] Every, R.G. (1972). A new terminology for mammalian teeth: founded on the phenomenon of thegosis (Parts 1 & 2 ed.). New Zealand: Pegasus Press, Christchurch, New Zealand.

[:1-2] Every, R.G. (1965). "The teeth as weapons: their influence on behaviour". The Lancet. 285 (7387): 1:685–688. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(65)91837-4. PMID 14258553.

[:2-3] Tunnicliffe G.A., Every R.G. (1974). Audiospectrographic Analysis and Behavioural Significance of Thegotic Sounds. Journal of Dental Research. pp. 53:710–710.

[4] Tunnicliffe, G. (1973). Observations on the phylogenesis of thegosis. Journal of Dental Research. pp. 52:583–583.

[5] Scally, K.B. (1973). Thegosis in the Sea Urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Val.). Echinodermata: Echinoidea. Journal of Dental Research 1973. pp. 52:583–583.

[6] Scally, K.B. (1991). Bruxism A Worn Out Concept – A Guest Editorial. Cranio. pp. 9:183–185.

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