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Mechanisms of honing in the male baboon canine
Author(s) -
Walker Alan
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330650108
Subject(s) - enamel paint , honing , baboon , premolar , dentin , dentistry , sharpening , canine tooth , materials science , orthodontics , molar , medicine , metallurgy , engineering , mechanical engineering
Male baboons use their sharp upper canines in aggressive interactions. These teeth are sharpened against specialized lower third premolars. The honing premolar is protected against wear by having very thick enamel and the upper canine having very thin enamel, not by structural or mineral differences between the two enamels. Evidence is presented which shows the interactions of enamel ultrastructure and both dentin and enamel wear in canine sharpening.