brachydont

Brachydont is a term used in dentition to describe teeth with relatively low crowns and limited eruption. The word derives from Greek brachys, short, and odous, tooth. It is used in contrast to hypsodont dentition, in which teeth have tall crowns and continuous eruption throughout life.

In brachydont dentition, the crown is short relative to the root. The exposed part of the tooth is covered by enamel, and the roots are anchored in the jaw by cementum and the periodontal ligament. After eruption, there is little to no vertical growth of the tooth as it wears.

Brachydont teeth wear with use, and without ongoing eruption they can gradually lose functional height. In many species, this pattern leads to eventual tooth wear and potential tooth loss in old age, unlike hypsodont teeth that maintain height by continual eruption.

The pattern is associated with certain dietary adaptations. Brachydont dentition is typical of humans and many carnivores and omnivores, including dogs, cats, and pigs. Hypsodont dentition is common in many grazing herbivores, such as horses and cattle, which are adapted to abrasive diets.

Etymology: brachydont from Greek brachys meaning short and odous meaning tooth.