The aim in writing this book has been to provide an introduction to variation in human adult tooth size, with the emphasis on general principles rather than specific applications, and one moreover, that can be understood by students and researchers of no more than ordinary mathematical ability. While aiming to interest as wide a range of readers as possible, it is principally directed at practitioners and students of physical anthropology, oral biology, orthodontics and forensic science. In consequence, some will find less detail than they require and others more. Those who are specialists in their respective fields will encounter all they require of the general principles involved, but will find little guidance in the techniques of orthodontics, forensics, genetics or physical anthropology. Those for whom odontometrics forms part of a course in any of these subjects will find a good deal more detail than they require.

There have been remarkable advances in the field of human odontometrics in the past fifty years. I have had the benefit of these works, not only as sources of data, but also as sources of inspiration and stimulation. Particularly important in this respect have been the works of Dahlberg, Hanihara, Lundström, Moorrees and, most importantly, Garn. These men were exceptionally well qualified to compile and interpret in a meaningful way a vast body of information on our teeth that now exists. Having paid tribute to these five great scientists, I must do the same to other, earlier pioneers of at least equal stature, namely Hellman, Hrdlička, Mijsberg, Nelson, Selmer-Olsen and Shaw. Their outstanding contributions still remain basic sources of information to students, clinicians and research workers alike.