DT News - UK - Researchers discover the origin of teeth

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 23 October 2012

save

BRISTOL – The evolutionary origin of dental structures is highly debated among experts. Now, a team of international scientists has found evidence that tooth-like structures were present in the first jawed vertebrates, although it had long been assumed that teeth developed later. The new findings indicate that teeth developed alongside or shortly after jaw structures.

The researchers discovered the origin of both teeth and jaws through studying fossils of Compagopiscis, one of the first prehistoric jawed fish. They performed 3-D microscopy using synchrotron X-ray tomography microscopy and were able to visualise every tissue, cell and growth line within the fish’s jaws, allowing them to study the development of the teeth, said Dr Martin Rücklin, lead author and researcher at the University of Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences.

embedImagecenter("Imagecenter_1_612",612, "large");

“This technique allowed us to obtain a perfect digital model and very detailed internal views of the fossil without destroying it,” said Prof. Marco Stampanoni of the Paul Scherrer Institute, the largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland.

The CT scans demonstrated that some primitive fish possessed jaws with distinct dental ossifications composed of dentine and bone, the researchers said.

In contrast to the hypothesis that teeth were absent in the first jawed vertebrates and that they captured their prey with scissor-like jaw-bones, the present study suggests that the development of tooth and jaw structures was intimately interwoven.

The research was conducted by palaeontologists from the University of Bristol in collaboration with evolution experts from the Natural History Museum in London and Curtin University in Australia and physicists from Switzerland.

The study was published online on 17 October in the Nature journal ahead of print.

To post a reply please login or register

Researchers examine regenerative potential of mice teeth

LONDON, UK: The concept of regrowing teeth is considered somewhat of a holy grail in dentistry. Though most reptiles and fish have multiple sets of teeth ...

Researchers discover enzyme that breaks up biofilm in the mouth

NEWCASTLE, UK: Researchers and dentists from the UK are currently developing a new product from a marine microbe to protect dentures, teeth and gums from ...

Ancient fish scales and vertebrate teeth share an embryonic origin

CAMBRIDGE, UK: Two new studies focusing on the evolutionary origin of teeth and of vertebra have provided further evidence of the human connection to marine...

Cracking the code of fractured teeth

The need for an endodontic skill set within the profession is higher than it has ever been. Culturally and socially, there have been significant changes in ...

Unlock the potential of digital dentistry at 3Shape Discover 2024 virtual event

The latest trends in digital dentistry are setting new standards in oral care, and this year, new advancements will push the envelope even further. To ...

Dentists discover their digital selves at 3Shape Discover

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Digital dental technologies are changing daily dental practice. On 6 June, dental technology specialist 3Shape hosted 3Shape Discover,...

Study evaluates effect of fluoride on children’s teeth

BELFAST, UK: Aimed at reducing childhood caries levels in the region, the Northern Ireland Caries Prevention in Practice Trial (NIC-PIP) has been ...

Delivering the ultimate teeth whitening experience

CAMBRIDGE & LONDON, UK: Philips has come a long way since introducing its first patent for a light bulb with an extended burning time in 1905. Over more...

Researchers in the UK and India aim to combat antibiotic overprescription in dentistry

LEEDS, England: While antibiotics remain essential for treating infectious diseases, their global efficacy is declining owing to the rise of antimicrobial ...

Functional dentistry spotlights the importance of the oral microbiome

LONDON, England: The inextricable relationship between a person’s oral and overall health has the potential to radically transform the dental industry and...

Education

Live webinar
Wed. 22 October 2025
6:00 pm UTC (London)