pleurodonty

Pleurodonty is a condition found in the dentition of certain vertebrates, particularly lizards. It describes a mode of tooth attachment where the teeth are fused to the inner side of the jawbone, rather than being set in sockets. In pleurodonty, the teeth are attached to the alveolar surface of the jaw, and the base of the tooth is fused to the bone itself. This type of tooth attachment is considered less robust than thecodonty, where teeth are set in individual sockets.

Pleurodont teeth are typically shed and replaced throughout an animal's life. As a new tooth develops beneath the old one, it erupts and pushes the older tooth out. This continuous replacement is a common feature in many reptilian species. While pleurodonty is characteristic of most lizards, it is also found in some amphibians and a few extinct reptiles. In contrast, mammals and crocodiles exhibit thecodonty, and some fish have acrodonty, where teeth are fused to the jaw's surface. The specific arrangement and attachment of teeth are important taxonomic characteristics used in the study of vertebrate evolution and paleontology.