title: Oral biology and disorders of tusked mammals.
abstract: Tusked mammals can be terrestrial or aquatic. Many of these magnificent animals are kept in captivity all over the world. Functions of tusks vary as much as the species in which they occur. Dental anomalies and disorders of tusks and the rest of the dentition in these mammals were discussed, with an emphasis on the elephant. The tusk anatomy, with its large, conically-shaped pulp, makes it an ideal tooth for partial pulpectomy treatment in trauma cases where the pulp is exposed. Surgical techniques for tusks have been developed and were discussed. Oral tumors occur, but are rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0010, South Africa. steenkamp@op.up.ac.za
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steenkamp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001188:Artiodactyla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010872:Caniformia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004606:Elephants / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020453:Sirenia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*