hypsodont

Hypsodont describes teeth with high crowns that extend well above the gum line. In hypsodont dentition, the occlusal surface is long and enamel-covered, and the teeth often continue to erupt during life to compensate for substantial wear caused by abrasive diets. This contrasts with brachydont teeth, which are low-crowned and wear primarily within the crown and root, and with hypselodont teeth, which are open-rooted and continuously growing with no well-defined crown or root.

Morphology and development typically associated with hypsodonty include a large reserve crown, a long chewing surface, and relatively short or limited roots. The result is a tooth that can maintain function despite heavy, ongoing wear from a fibrous or gritty diet. The degree of hypsodonty can be quantified and used in comparative anatomy and paleontology to infer dietary habits and ecological conditions.

Ecology and evolutionwise, hypsodonty is common among herbivorous ungulates and other grazing or sprawling herbivores, such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and many deer. The trait reflects adaptation to hard or abrasive vegetation, where a tall crown provides a durable biting surface and the capacity for continued eruption maintains occlusion over time. In fossil assemblages, higher degrees of hypsodonty are often interpreted as indicators of grazing ecosystems and open habitats with abundant abrasive vegetation.