title: The dental pathology of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).
abstract: Skulls (n=104) of northern elephant seals from California were examined macroscopically. The animals varied in age but the numbers of each sex were roughly equal. The majority (86%) of teeth were available for examination. The mandibular first premolars were the most common teeth to be congenitally absent, with 2.3% missing. Supernumerary teeth (usually a supplemental mandibular molar) were associated with only 1.4% of normal teeth (or empty alveolar sockets). At least one persistent deciduous tooth was present in 38% of skulls, 70% of which were juvenile skulls. The majority (95.8%) of premolars had the type 2a tooth form, with only 3.8% and 0.5% of type 2b and 2c, respectively. Forty-six skulls, of which 43 were from adults, showed signs of attrition. Tooth fractures were uncommon, affecting only 33 teeth (1.2%). One skull showed an "incremental line" suggestive of enamel hypoplasia. Periodontal hard tissue lesions were seen in 44.3% of all teeth present (46.0% of skulls). Six cases of periapical disease with bone loss were observed.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Dental Hospital, University of Birmingham, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: F J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Verstraete
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D046048:Seals, Earless; D012886:Skull; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*