Teeth

1
Teeth

• Teeth are structures found in the jaws of many
  vertebrates. The primary function of teeth is to
  tear and chew food, and in some animals,
  particularly carnivores, for fighting and/or
  defence.
• All turtles lack teeth.
• Carnivorous reptiles teeth are tapered to
  sharp points.
• Type of teeth according to their attachements
• Thecodont Teeth may be attached in sockets .
• Acrodont On the alveolar surface of the jaw.
  each tooth resides on the occlusional surface of
  the jaws in a very shallow socket. Replacement
  teeth arise adjacent to the active teeth
  (snakes).
• Pleurodont Attachement on the inner side of the
  jaws (lizards).
• Thecodont Are replaced within the same socket
  (reptiles).

2

• Mammals have incisors, canines, premolars and
  molars in both the upper and the lower jaw. These
  tooth types are structurally different and each
  has a specialized function.
• In mammalian carnivores, the upper canines are
  quite large and specialized for live prey capture
  and killing .
• In mammalian herbivores, the canines are absent,
  leaving a space, called a diastema, between the
  incisors at the front of the mouth and the
  premolars and molars at the back of the mouth .

3

• Types of teeth
• Incisors are the primary biting teeth.
• Canine teeth bite and tear food.
• Premolars shear, grind and mash food.
• Molars are responsible for the most vigorous
  chewing.