Not only human beings, but also animals have to deal with toothache once in a while. A team of researchers from the University of Toronto Mississauga went on to examine the jaw of Labidosaurus hamatus, a terrestrial reptile that lived 275 million years ago, and found evidence of bone damage due to oral infection. This is a great finding as it shows the reptile’s susceptibility to oral infections.
The team of scientists, led by paleontologist Professor Dr Robert Reisz, found out more about the terrestrial vertebrates that lived around 250 to 315 million years ago and the their jaws. They were able to study this from several well-preserved specimens of Labidosaurus hamatus. The one that they studied showcases missing teeth and associated erosion of the jaw bone. With the aid of a computer tomography scanning the team was able to find enough supportive evidence of a massive infection. This was the cause of the loss of several teeth, bone destruction in the jaw in the form of an abscess and internal loss of bone tissue.
Reisz and his team put forward that as ancestors of advanced reptiles adapted to life on land. In order to do so, many evolved dental and cranial specializations to feed more efficiently on other animals. This was also to incorporate high-fiber plant leaves and stems into their diet.
Reisz and his team put forward that as ancestors of advanced reptiles adapted to life on land. In order to do so, many evolved dental and cranial specializations to feed more efficiently on other animals. This was also to incorporate high-fiber plant leaves and stems into their diet.
The primitive process in living amphibians and reptiles is to have a continual process of growing new teeth in each socket. As these teeth grow, the old ones fall out. The primitive dental pattern in which teeth were loosely attached to the jaws and continuously replaced, changed in some animals. Teeth became strongly attached to the jaw, with little or no tooth replacement as this worked to be greatly beneficial for some reptiles. The diversity of the Labidosauris and its kin was greatly beneficial in the evolutionary success.
However, it is conceivable that the likelihood of infections of the jaw, resulting from damage to the teeth, increased over a period of time in these reptiles. When they were exposed to these infections it harmed the dental pulp cavity of heavily worn or damaged teeth. This had a greater impact on the reptiles as they were not able to replace their teeth like the other amphibians and animals. This was according to the evolution of meat and animal eating creatures.
However, it is conceivable that the likelihood of infections of the jaw, resulting from damage to the teeth, increased over a period of time in these reptiles. When they were exposed to these infections it harmed the dental pulp cavity of heavily worn or damaged teeth. This had a greater impact on the reptiles as they were not able to replace their teeth like the other amphibians and animals. This was according to the evolution of meat and animal eating creatures.
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