LAB 5.2  Teeth



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Hard palate
Dentition - important sign of animal age

Calf and lamb 2 x (DI 0/4, DC 0/0, DP 3/3)
Mature cattle & sheep 2 x (I 0/4, C 0/0, P 3/3, M 3/3)
Young pig 2 x (DI 3/3, DC 1/1, DP 4/4)
Mature pig 2 x (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 3/3)

D = Deciduous
I = Incisor
C = Canine
PM = Premolar
M = Molar

There are two basic types of tooth in farm animals:
Selenodont - with crescent-shaped ridges
Bunodont - with rounded tubercles covered with enamel

The teeth are composed of three basic materials:
Enamel - very hard, on outside
Dentine - softer, and fills centre of bunodont tooth
Cementum - root of bunodont tooth, but continues up selenodont