DT News - MEA - Whose gnashers? The form and function of mammalian teeth

King's College London

Wed. 16 January 2019

save

Teeth are key to the survival of mammals, and knowledge of tooth form and function is essential in mammalian biology.

Dr Barry Berkovitz, King’s College London, and Dr Peter Shellis, University of Bern, have published a new book ‘The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates’ exploring the teeth of all mammals based on material gathered from global museums and researchers, and drawing on the authors’ knowledge acquired over 40 years of teaching and research experience in dental anatomy.

There has recently been a resurgence of interest in several aspects of comparative dental anatomy such as function, the development of individual teeth and their arrangement.

Classically, teeth clearly exemplify the relationship between form and function, and mammalian dentitions provide an array of examples. The book contains over 700 high-quality photographs, x-rays, CT scans and histological images, including from the Royal College of Surgeons archives, and explains how the structure and properties of dental tissues support tooth function.

To celebrate the publication of ‘The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates’, King’s College London has created a photo quiz. Take the quiz at https://bit.ly/2Ft60ynand see how many you can identify.

‘The Teeth of Mammalian Vertebrates’, was co-authored by Dr Barry Berkovitz, Emeritus Reader in Dental Anatomy, King’s College London, and Dr Peter Shellis, Department of Preventive, Restorative and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Bern, and can be purchased from Elsevier.

kcl.ac.uk/news/spotlight

Connecting the dots: The crucial link between oral health and airway function in children

Dental Tribune Middle East had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Rafif Tayara, a distinguished consultant pediatric dentist with a passion for holistic care,...

Koelnmesse and dmg events announce the launch of the IDEM Saudi Arabia 2026

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Koelnmesse and dmg events have announced the launch of the annual International Dentistry Exhibition and Meeting in Saudi Arabia (IDEM...

Shining the brightest light on sensitive teeth

Ever wondered the connection between sensitive teeth and Roman artefacts buried in the family villa of Julius Caesar? The answer is the size of eight ...

When design and function come together... you get FUSION!

Tight contacts – guaranteed! Superior tooth separation force through advanced engineering and material selection guarantee perfect contacts every time.

“The Middle East is a region of impressive growth and diversity”

Dentistry is evolving faster than ever. From digitalisation to changing economic realities, global market changes are redefining how clinicians work and how...

Dental anxiety and quality of life among adults in the UAE

RAS AL-KHAIMAH, UAE: Although the association between dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life is well established internationally, evidence ...

SARS-CoV-2: An obstacle for the next generation of dentists and dental hygienists?

RICHMOND, Va., U.S.: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to create insecurity around the world. A survey of dental and dental hygiene students ...

The material of the future for all kinds of indications

Implant prosthetics and dental prosthetics differ considerably, with the absence of periodontal ligament in the implant/prosthesis complex. This situation ...

Preserve and Protect Patients’ Gums and Teeth for Life with GUM® Activital®

Geneva, Switzerland: Sunstar, a leader in professional oral healthcare products, has released GUM® ActiVital®, a new range of toothpaste and mouthrinse ...

Preserve and Protect Patients’ Gums and Teeth for Life with GUM® Activital®

Geneva, Switzerland: Sunstar, a leader in professional oral healthcare products, has released GUM® ActiVital®, a new range of toothpaste and mouthrinse ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 4 August 2026
4:00 am UAE (Dubai)