Tritoothed

Tritoothed is an adjective used to describe a dentition pattern featuring three tooth-like projections or cusps on a single element, such as a tooth, denticle, or dental structure. The term is formed from the prefix tri- meaning three and the word tooth, with the participial suffix -ed. It is primarily encountered in descriptive morphology within paleontology and historical dental literature rather than as a formal clinical diagnosis.

In modern dentistry, more precise terms such as three-cusped or three-pointed are preferred when describing tooth morphology, and tricuspid is often used in broader contexts to denote three cusps. As such, tritoothed tends to appear in older texts or in generic descriptive notes where authors choose a straightforward descriptor rather than a standardized dental category.

In paleontological contexts, tritoothed descriptions may apply to fossil teeth, denticles, or jaw elements with a three-tooth configuration. The use of the term should be supported by illustrations or measurements to clarify cusp arrangement, as three cusps can vary in prominence and shape.

Limitations: The lack of a universal definition means readers should consult the original source for exact interpretation. The term does not designate a specific taxonomic group, but rather a morphological feature.

See also: Cusps, Multicusped, Tricuspid, Dental morphology, Conodont elements.