Kegeltanden

Kegeltanden, Dutch for conical teeth, is a dental morphology term used to describe teeth with a distinctly conical or peg-like crown. The name derives from kegel (cone) and tanden (teeth). In dental and anatomical literature, kegeltanden refer to teeth whose reduced or absent flat crowns give way to a sharp, tapering apex, often with a simple root. The enamel is typically thick around the crown, providing resistance to puncture and wear. The arrangement and length of the crown relative to the root can vary among species, influencing function.

Function and use: The conical shape favors piercing, grasping, or holding prey, and reduces resistance when entering tissues. In feeding strategies, kegeltanden may be used to puncture soft prey or to anchor against prey movement. They may be singly present in an irregular dentition or as part of a tooth row.

Occurrence: Conical or peg-like teeth are found in diverse vertebrate groups, including many piscivorous and insectivorous species, and also in extinct lineages studied in paleontology. They are of interest in studies of tooth replacement patterns and wear.

In palaeontology and comparative anatomy, kegeltanden are discussed in contrast with cusped or broad crowns, to characterize feeding ecology and phylogenetic relationships. The term is primarily descriptive and used in Dutch-language sources; English-language literature more commonly uses "conical teeth" or "cone-shaped dentition." See also conical tooth, peg tooth, tooth morphology.