Postnatal tooth development in cattle.

INTEREST in the teeth of cattle dates from the latter half of the nineteenth century when disputes as to the age of veal carcasses were settled by the state of eruption and amount of wear of the incisor teeth. Recently, additional attention has been drawn to the teeth of cattle by the recognition of the role played by fluorides in the mottling of the teeth. Many studies have been done to classify and analyze the effect which dietary fluorides have on the teeth. It is also recognized that other systemic factors may influence the quality of the dental structures. However, these studies are hampered by a paucity of knowledge concerning the details of tooth development in cattle, and especially the exact chronology of enamel development. Without an exact knowledge of the chronology of tooth development, it is not possible to make an accurate correlation between the systemic ailment and its effects on the teeth. Except for Garlick's study in 1954, few controlled studies have been conducted relative to the development of teeth of cattle.