Discussion and Viewpoints: A Q&A Session with Cevina Hwang
**Young Researcher Explores the Evolutionary Mystery of Wisdom Teeth**
Cevina Hwang, a junior at an unspecified university, is delving into the intriguing world of human evolution, with a particular focus on the evolution of the human jaw and teeth. As President of the Princeton Pre-Dental Association (PPDA), Hwang is no stranger to the field, having already sparked her interest in dentistry during high school.
Currently, Hwang is engaged in preparing a literature review for her senior thesis in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) department at Princeton. Her research project aims to investigate the retention of wisdom teeth in humans, particularly focusing on whether there is a connection to a lag in evolution.
Hwang's journey, however, was not without challenges. Initially, she faced difficulties in finding a mentor with a specific focus on human evolution, especially in relation to the jaw and teeth. Yet, she persevered and connected with Dr. vonHoldt, a specialist in events of domestication, dogs and wolf ancestors, behavior ecology, population biology, and genotype/phenotype evolution. This connection proved to be a turning point for Hwang, providing her with valuable guidance and opportunities to ask for assistance from an upperclassman.
Hwang's research approach involves making comparisons between clinical observations she's made during her time shadowing various dentists and the literature she's reading to identify research questions. This method has allowed her to delve deeper into the evolutionary history of wisdom teeth and their potential future.
The evolutionary history of wisdom teeth is closely tied to our ancestors' diet and jaw structure. Early humans consumed coarse, rough foods that caused significant tooth wear, necessitating the presence of additional molars—wisdom teeth—to provide adequate chewing power. These third molars would help replace worn-down teeth, making them vital for survival at the time.
Over time, as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agricultural and then industrialized societies, our diets became softer and more processed. This dietary shift reduced the need for the extra chewing power provided by wisdom teeth. Concurrently, human jaws have gradually shrunk in size, a factor that contributes to the current issues with wisdom teeth impaction and crowding. Ancient skulls show fewer problems with impacted wisdom teeth, whereas today, almost 90% of people experience impacted wisdom teeth that often require surgical removal.
Due to this evolutionary reduction in jaw size and changes in diet, wisdom teeth are increasingly considered a vestigial feature, meaning they no longer serve a necessary function. Moreover, there is an ongoing trend of these teeth being congenitally absent in many people, indicating a further evolutionary move away from their presence altogether.
Regarding the potential future of wisdom teeth, the trend suggests that continued evolutionary pressures may lead to even smaller jaws and fewer or no wisdom teeth. Some babies are now being born without certain teeth, including wisdom teeth, reflecting a rapid evolutionary adaptation. This could mean that in the long term, wisdom teeth may disappear entirely from the human dentition, eliminating the issues they cause today.
In essence, wisdom teeth evolved as an adaptive response to harsh dietary needs but are becoming obsolete due to modern diets and anatomical changes, with evolutionary evidence pointing towards their eventual disappearance from the human species. Hwang's research project aims to contribute to this growing body of knowledge, shedding light on the retention of wisdom teeth in humans and the potential connection to a lag in evolution.
| Aspect | Evolutionary History | Potential Future | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Function | Provided extra chewing power for rough diets | Likely to become absent due to reduced need | | Jaw size | Larger jaws accommodated wisdom teeth | Decreasing jaw size leads to impaction issues | | Dental health | Ancient humans had fewer impactions and cavities| Modern humans see frequent impactions | | Vestigial status | Not vestigial originally | Considered vestigial and often congenitally absent | | Evolutionary trend | Adapted for hard diet and large jaw | Rapid evolution causing smaller jaws and fewer teeth |
As the research process continues, Hwang encourages juniors in the EEB department to spend time in the fall figuring out their research interests and topics. By starting the research process early, students can have a better idea of the type of work they want to get involved in by the springtime. With her proactive approach and unwavering dedication, Hwang is well on her way to making significant contributions to the field of evolutionary biology.
Cevina Hwang's senior thesis, titled "Investigating the Retention of Wisdom Teeth in Humans: A Connection to Evolutionary Lag," reflects her passion for education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as she delves deeper into the evolutionary history of wisdom teeth and their potential future.
Alongside her senior thesis, Hwang has also chosen "The Role of Junior Papers in a Junior's Educational Journey and Personal Development" as the topic for her junior paper, aiming to highlight the importance of early research experiences in shaping a student's career path and fostering a deeper understanding of the learning process.
