Skeletal-dental features in 33 bull terrier dogs.

BACKGROUND: The Bull terrier breed has been reported in the veterinary literature to suffer frequent dental and skeletal malocclusions. In this retrospective case series, we report skeletal-dental anomalies in a group of 33 Bull terriers presented for a dental consultation. RESULTS: Out of 33 dogs examined, 24 cases had full mouth radiography or Cone-beam computed tomography performed. Eruption and development abnormalities observed were as follows: hypodontia in 54.1% (13/24), eruption changes in 29.2% (7/24), and tooth shape abnormalities in 33.3% (8/24). All dogs presented with some type of dental or skeletal malocclusion: neutroclusion was the most common (66.7% of the animals), followed by mandibular mesioclusion (18.8%), maxillo-mandibular asymmetry (9.4%), and mandibular distoclusion (6.3%). Dental abnormalities noted included rotation of mandibular and maxillary premolar teeth, distal displacement of the incisor teeth, lingual displacement of the mandibular canine teeth, and absence of mandibular premolar and molar teeth. Lingual displacement of mandibular canine teeth was associated with malocclusion causing trauma (odds ratio 7.1, 95% confidence interval [1.4 to 36.1], p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Malocclusions and tooth shape abnormalities were found to be the most frequent finding in this group of Bull terriers. Although these findings cannot be generalized to the global population further studies are needed to observe the true expression of these anomalies in the general breed population.

Living naked: first case of lack of skin-related structures in an elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus).

As far as is known, in this paper the first case of lacking of skin-related structures (epidermis, stratum laxum, dermal denticles and teeth) in a free-swimming elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark, Galeus melastomus, is reported. The individual was caught by trawl in Sardinian waters (central-western Mediterranean) in July 2019 at a depth of 500 m. Although this kind of morphological abnormality is potentially fatal, the observations suggested that the specimen was in good health and well developed.

Oral and Dental Examination Findings in European Polecats (Mustela putorius).

Dental and oral diseases in the domestic ferret have been reported, but comparison with their closest wild relative, the European polecat (Mustela putorius), is lacking. Dental and orofacial pathology was evaluated by means of visual examination and dental radiographical analysis of 234 museum skulls. Most of these (70.5%) originated from Austria and the remainder came from seven other European countries. Linguoverted mandibular second incisor teeth were noted in 77% of the skulls. There were 7,268 (91.4% of all potential) teeth available for examination. Few (0.3%) were presumed congenitally missing and 0.5% were presumed missing by acquired means. Supernumerary teeth were present in 2.6% of the skulls. Most (65.6%) of the maxillary first molar teeth were three rooted with the palatal root protruding into the orbit. Most (67.2%) of the mandibular first molar teeth were three rooted with the smaller third root being positioned in the furcation of the two larger roots. Thirty-one percent of the teeth were four rooted, with the smaller fourth root also being positioned in the furcation of the two largest roots. Attrition/abrasion was shown by 17.2% of the teeth in 47% of the skulls. Periodontitis was recognized in 57.6% of the teeth in 91.9% of the skulls and dental fractures were noted in 7.2% of the teeth in 62% of the skulls. Radiographical evidence of endodontic disease was found in 25% of the fractured teeth. Tooth resorption, in the form of external inflammatory resorption associated with endodontic disease, was found in 0.1% of teeth in 2.1% of skulls. Extrusion affected 44% of the canine teeth. Lesions consistent with infection by the helminth Troglotrema acutum were identified in 33.3% of the skulls. Oral and dental disease was significant and varied, often consistent with reports of the species domestic counterpart - the ferret. Comparison with other mustelids, notably the beech marten (Martes foina), showed both clear consistencies and discrepancies, dependent on the type of pathology.

Treatment of humeral condylar fractures and humeral intracondylar fissures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe the treatment and outcome of humeral condylar fractures and humeral intracondylar fissures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS) and to provide advice on how to manage these cases in practice. METHODS: Data were collated on cats with PADS that were reported to have sustained humeral fractures or had fractures or fissures of the humerus identified on radiographs. The details of the fractures were recorded in addition to any treatment and outcome information. RESULTS: Of the 207 cases reported with PADS, 18 cats (8.7%) were found to have humeral condylar fractures, none of which was known to have resulted from significant trauma. Where treatment occurred, it involved the placement of transcondylar positional or lag screws. In some cases additional implants, including supracondylar bone plates and screws or Kirschner wires (K-wires), were used. Follow-up data revealed that only two cats were euthanased owing to the presence of the humeral fractures, with at least eight achieving some degree of recovery of function. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These humeral fractures all have the characteristics of stress insufficiency fractures, being simple isolated fractures that are short oblique, with increased radio-density at the fracture line and occurring following minimal or no trauma. Humeral intracondylar fissures were identified in two cats and it is possible that some of the other fractures may have occurred secondary to pre-existing fissures. To our knowledge, no prior reports exist of fissures in cats that do not meet the criteria for PADS. Surgical repair primarily consisted of the placement of transcondylar lag or positional screws with, in some cases, adjunct implants such as bone plates and screws or K-wires. Though there were insufficient data to determine the prognosis for these fractures in the long term, unlike patellar fractures, many of these fractures will heal if treated appropriately.

A TAC3 Missense Variant in a Domestic Shorthair Cat with Testicular Hypoplasia and Persistent Primary Dentition.

A single male domestic shorthair cat that did not complete puberty was reported. At four years of age, it still had primary dentition, testicular hypoplasia, and was relatively small for its age. We hypothesized that the phenotype might have been due to an inherited form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). We sequenced the genome of the affected cat and compared the data to 38 genomes from control cats. A search for private variants in 40 candidate genes associated with human HH revealed a single protein-changing variant in the affected cat. It was located in the TAC3 gene encoding tachykinin 3, a precursor protein of the signaling molecule neurokinin B, which is known to play a role in sexual development. TAC3 variants have been reported in human patients with HH. The identified feline variant, TAC3:c.220G>A or p.(Val74Met), affects a moderately conserved region of the precursor protein, 11 residues away from the mature neurokinin B sequence. The affected cat was homozygous for the mutant allele. In a cohort of 171 randomly sampled cats, 169 were homozygous for the wildtype allele and 2 were heterozygous. These data tentatively suggest that the identified TAC3 variant might have caused the suppression of puberty in the affected cat.

X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia-General Features and Dental Abnormalities in Affected Dogs Compared With Human Dental Abnormalities.

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities in ectodermal derivatives such as sweat glands, hair, and teeth. In animals, the highest number of cases has been reported in dogs, which show characteristic congenital alopecia and develop abnormalities in the shape and number of teeth. Although the clinical phenotype of the affected individuals is typical, this disorder remains almost unknown in veterinary clinical practice. With the aim of making it better known, we gathered in this review the main clinical and genetic aspects of XLHED, placing emphasis on dental abnormalities.

Incidence and types of preceding and subsequent fractures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to document the incidence of preceding and subsequent fractures to the patellar fractures in cats with patellar fractures and dental anomaly syndrome. METHODS: Records of cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome were retrieved from the combined databases at the University of Bristol, UK, and Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital, USA. A request was made to complete a questionnaire to obtain long-term follow-up of these cats with respect to their current status and fractures to other bones; radiographs and histories were requested and were reviewed for treatment of ongoing fractures and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 191 cases reported with this syndrome, 92 cats (48.2%) had dental anomalies and 78 (40.8%) had fractures to other bones; 21 cats sustained the fractures preceding the patellar fractures and 57 subsequently. In total, there were 175 fractures: acetabulum (25%), tibia (22%), ischium (15.4%), humeral condyle (13.7%), calcaneus (5.1%), ilium (5.1%), pubis (3.4%) and other bones (10.2%). The majority of these fractures were characteristic of insufficiency (stress) fractures with a very similar configuration in each bone. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A high proportion of cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome will have preceding or subsequent fractures to their patellar fractures. In this study, >10% of cats suffered characteristic fractures preceding the patellar fractures. The presence of these fractures should alert the veterinarian to the possibility that the cat is affected by patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.

Dental anomalies and lesions in Eastern Atlantic harbor seals, Phoca vitulina vitulina (Carnivora, Phocidae), from the German North Sea.

Skulls of 1,901 Eastern Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were systematically studied for externally visible dental anomalies and lesions. The sample comprised 927 males and 974 female individuals, with age at death ranging between 1 week and 25 years. Most of the skulls originated from animals collected in 1988, when the population suffered from a mass mortality event caused by the phocine distemper virus (PDV). Mean age (± SD) of females (6.7 ± 6.4 years) was higher (p = 0.002) than that of males (5.9 ± 5.2 years). In 264 individuals, one or more teeth were missing either congenitally (n = 26 animals, 1.4%) or due to intravital loss (n = 238 animals, 12.5%). One male exhibited congenital absence of all teeth (anodontia). As this animal had been reported to be almost hairless, the condition was tentatively diagnosed as a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Males were more frequently (p = 0.002) affected by intravital tooth loss (15.0%) than females (10.2%). Supernumerary teeth were found in 3.4% of the skulls, with females (4.7%) showing hyperodontia more frequently (p < 0.001) than males (1.9%). Fifty-nine individuals (3.1%; 28 males, 31 females, p = 0.84) exhibited abnormal tooth morphology. Tooth fractures were noted in 40 seals (2.1%), with males being more frequently affected than females (p = 0.017). Periapical lesions were diagnosed in 143 skulls, with a tendency (p = 0.05) for males (8.7%) to be more frequently affected than females (6.4%). Enamel hypoplasia was not observed in the study sample. Analyzing the occurrence of dental anomalies and lesions in wild mammals can substantially contribute to an assessment of population health and thereby broaden the basis for effective species conservation and informed management decisions.

Dental Pathology of the Iberian Lynx ( Lynx pardinus), Part I: Congenital, Developmental, and Traumatic Abnormalities.

The Iberian lynx is an endangered felid that has been subject to an intensive ongoing conservation program in an attempt to save it from extinction. Identification of dental pathologies could play an important role in the survival of this endangered species. The objective of this study is to evaluate the dental pathologies (congenital, developmental, and traumatic abnormalities) of this species of felid. Skulls of 88 adult specimens of the Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus) from the Doñana Biological Station [Estación Biológica de Doñana-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas] (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain, were examined macroscopically, and full-mouth dental radiographs of all specimens were performed. Presence, absence, form of teeth, number of roots, supernumerary teeth, and persistent deciduous teeth were evaluated. The presence of attrition/abrasion, tooth fractures, enamel hypoplasia/hypomineralization, endodontic disease, intrinsically stained teeth, and other traumatic findings were also evaluated. Abnormal grooves and dilacerations were the most common abnormalities seen in the roots of teeth. Two hundred and fifteen fractured teeth (11.3% of evaluated teeth) were detected, and mainly complicated fractures were noted in maxillary canine teeth (24.2% of fractured teeth) and mandibular canine teeth (16.7% of fractured teeth). Endodontic disease was present in 3.9% of the teeth examined. Intrinsic tooth staining was assessed in 8.5% of evaluated teeth. Of all teeth examined, 831 teeth (43.7% of evaluated teeth) exhibited some type of attrition/abrasion. Our study concluded that there is a high prevalence of dental fractures and attrition/abrasion with associated endodontic disease that could lead to impaired hunting ability as well as a threat to overall health and subsequent survival of this endangered species.

Assessment of Temporary Crown Extensions to Correct Linguoverted Mandibular Canine Teeth in 72 Client-Owned Dogs (2012-2016).

A search of the medical and dental records at Evidensia Lørenskog Dyreklinikk, in Lørenskog, Norway, was conducted to identify dogs that received temporary crown extensions (TCEs) to correct linguoverted mandibular canine (LMC) teeth over a 54-month investigation period (2012-2016). Criteria for inclusion into the study were the presence of complete medical and dental records, pre- and postoperative clinical photographs and intraoral radiographs of the affected canine teeth, adequate information pertaining to the procedures performed, and at least 1 follow-up >3 months after appliance removal. Seventy-two dogs with LMC teeth were treated with TCE. Thirty-nine breeds were represented in this study. Mean age at the time of appliance installation was 6.4 (range, 4.7-13.4 months [median, 5.9 months] months). Fifty-three (73.6%) dogs presented with class I malocclusion, 14 (19.5%) dogs with class II malocclusion, and 5 (6.9%) dogs with class III malocclusion. Twenty-five (34.7%) dogs were considered to have mild, 32 (44.4%) dogs to have moderate, and 15 (20.8%) dogs to have severe mandibular canine malocclusion. The TCE was combined with other treatment modalities (active orthodontics, extraction of nonstrategic teeth, gingivectomy, and inclined bite plane and ball therapy) to correct mandibular canine tooth malocclusions in 19 (26.4%) dogs. Fractured or detached crown extensions were seen in 9 (12.5%) dogs. Soft tissue ulceration or inflammation was seen in 7 (9.7%) dogs. The mandibular canine teeth occlusion resolved completely with self-retaining, functional, nontraumatic occlusion in 56 (77.8%) dogs. Fifteen dogs (20.8%) resolved with functional, nontraumatic occlusion, but the mandibular canine teeth were too short to be perfectly self-retained, thus left with 1- to 2-mm crown extensions for permanent retention. In 1 (1.4%) dog, both mandibular canine teeth relapsed almost back to original position. The results show that TCE is a viable treatment option to correct LMC teeth in young dogs.

Unusual Dental Morphology in a Chimpanzee: A Case Report Utilizing Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

This case report illustrates the teeth morphology of a chimpanzee and its anatomical variations. A well-preserved skull of a male Pan troglodytes troglodyte chimpanzee was scanned using a cone-beam computed tomography machine. Measurements included tooth and crown height, root length, root canal length and width (posterior teeth), and pulp cavity length (anterior teeth). Nonmetrical parameters included number of canals and foramina per root of every root. Interestingly, the mandibular central incisor was longer than the lateral incisor, and all the mandibular anterior teeth presented with a solitary flame-shaped or conical-calcified structure in their pulp cavity. The premolars are usually dual rooted except for the first maxillary premolar that displayed 3 roots. Other unusual discoveries were the presence of bilateral radicular dens invaginatus in the mandibular first premolars and the possibility of having 2 canals and 2 foramina in the roots of the posterior teeth. The presence of conical stone mineralizations at the pulp cavity and the presence of dens invaginatus were of particular interest.

Brain, Craniofacial, and Dental Lesions of a Free-ranging Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) Implicated in a Human Attack in Minnesota, USA.

We describe significant brain, craniofacial, and dental lesions in a free-ranging wolf (Canis lupus) involved in a human attack. On postmortem examination, the wolf presented asymmetric atrophy and bone remodeling affecting the mandible, incisive, maxilla, lacrimal, palatine, frontal, and ethmoid bones. There was an asymmetrical skeletal malocclusion and dental abnormalities including rotated, malpositioned, partially erupted teeth, and an odontogenic cyst associated with an unerupted canine tooth. Brain changes were bilateral loss and atrophy of extensive cortex regions including olfactory bulb, peduncles, and tract, and the frontal lobe. We highlight the relevance of a thorough postmortem examination of wildlife to elucidate disease-based abnormal behavior as the reason for human-animal conflict.

Caries, Periodontal Disease, Supernumerary Teeth and Other Dental Disorders in Swedish Wild Boar (Sus scrofa).

Between January and December 2013, the dental and periodontal health of 99 Swedish wild boars (Sus scrofa) was investigated. Sampling occurred in conjunction with routine hunting at six large estates in the southern and middle parts of Sweden. All six of the estates use supplemental feeding. The weight of the animals, their sex and their dates of death were noted. Age was estimated using tooth eruption and tooth replacement patterns. The oral cavity was inspected and abnormalities were recorded on a dental chart modified for wild boars. The findings included supernumerary teeth, absence of teeth, mild class II malocclusion, severe tooth wear, periodontitis, calculus, caries, tooth fractures and the presence of enamel defects. Swedish wild boars suffer from different dental lesions and the impact of supplemental feeding on dental and periodontal health is still to be investigated.

Frecuencia de alteraciones dentales y periodontales en perros atendidos en la clínica veterinaria de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia durante mayo-octubre 2006 / Frequency of dental and periodontal alterations evaluated in the veterinary clinic of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia period of May to October 2006

Determinar la frecuencia de las principales alteraciones dentales y periodontales de perros atendidos en la Clínica Veterinaria de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima. Material y métodos: Se evaluó a 120 perros de 1 a 14 años, sin distinción de raza y sexo. Las variables evaluadas fueron la edad (1-4, 5-8, 9-14), tamaño (pequeños: <10 kg; medianos: de 10 - 30 kg y grandes: >30 kg) y tipo de alimentación (preferentemente balanceado y preferentemente casera). Resultados: Se encontró que el 95,8% (115/120) de los canes presentó al examen clínico algún tipo de alteración dental, donde la gingivitis (93,3%), cálculo dental (70,8%), enfermedad periodontal (EP) (69,2%), ausencia dental (39,2%) y desgaste (20,0%) fueron las de mayor ocurrencia. Las alteraciones dentales se incrementaron con la edad y fue más evidente en perros de porte pequeño, a excepción del desgaste que fue más frecuente en perros de porte grande (p<0,05). Tanto en EP y cálculo dental la zona vestibular de los premolares fue la más afectada. Los primeros premolares y los incisivos fueron las piezas dentales donde se observó ausencia dental con mayor frecuencia en perros pequeños. Las alteraciones dentales y periodontales se observaron con mayor frecuencia en canes alimentados con dieta preferentemente casera que aquellos con dietas preferentemente balanceadas, aunque estas diferencias fueron sólo significativas en cálculos dentales y EP (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Las afecciones odontológicas más frecuentes en perros fueron la gingivitis, la enfermedad periodontal, el cálculo dental, la ausencia dental y el desgaste; la edad y características asociadas al tamaño del perro son factores que afectan significativamente la salud bucal; y la dieta desempeñó un papel importante en la salud dental, especialmente en la enfermedad periodontal y el cálculo dental...

Objectives: Was to determine the frequency of the main dental and periodontal diseases in dogs nursed at the Clínica Veterinaria de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima. Material and methods: One-hundred twenty dogs were evaluated, aged from 1 to 14 without distinction of breed or sex. The variables evaluated were age (1-4, 5-8, 9-14), size (small: <10kg; medium: from 10 û 30kg; large: >30kg) and feeding type (mainly balanced and mainly home-made). Results: It was found that 95,8% (115/120) of the dogs presented some kind of dental alterations during the clinical examination, where gingivitis (93,3%), dental calculus (70,8%), periodontal disease (69,2%), missing teeth (39,2%) and teeth wear (20,0%) were the most frequent. Dental alterations increased with age and were more evident in small dogs, with the exception of teeth wear, which was more frequent in large dogs (p<0,05 ). Both in periodontal disease and dental calculus, the vestibular zone was the most affected zone. Missing teeth was observed more frequently in small dogs, in first premolar and incisive teeth. Dental and periodontal alterations were more frequently observed in dogs fed with mainly home-made food than in dogs with mainly balanced diet, although these differences where only significant in dental calculus and periodontal disease (p<0,05). Conclusions: The dental conditions more common in dogs were gingivitis, periodontal disease, dental calculus, the absence and wear; the age and characteristics associated with the size of the dog are factors that significantly affect oral health; and the diet played an important role in dental health, especially in periodontal disease and dental calculus...

Assessment of dental abnormalities by full-mouth radiography in small breed dogs.

This study was performed to evaluate full-mouth radiographic findings to determine the prevalence of dental abnormalities and analyze the relationship between dental abnormalities and age in small breed dogs. Sixteen predetermined categories of abnormal radiographic findings were evaluated in 233 small breed dogs. In total, 9,786 possible permanent teeth could be evaluated. Of those, 8,308 teeth were evaluated and abnormal radiographic findings were found in 2,458 teeth (29.6%). The most common teeth with abnormal radiographic findings were the mandibular first molars (74.5% on the left and 63.9% on the right) and the maxillary fourth premolars (40.5% on the left and 38.2% on the right). Bone loss of any type (15.8%) was the most commonly detected radiographic abnormal finding among the 16 categories. Dental conditions with a genetic predisposition were frequently occurred in the mandibular premolar teeth. Shih tzu frequently had unerupted teeth and dentigerous cysts. Among the teeth with abnormal radiographic findings, 4.5%, 19.8%, and 5.3% were considered incidental, additional, and important, respectively. Findings that were only detected on radiographs, which were not noted on routine oral examination, were more common in older dogs. Full-mouth radiographic evaluation should be performed to obtain important information for making accurate diagnoses.

Studies on dentition and oral disorders of Camels in Maiduguri Abattoir, Borno State, Nigeria.

Camelus dromedarius dental disorders were surveyed using abattoir samples from Maiduguri, Nigeria. A total of 313 heads, were randomly examined. The age and sex of the heads were estimated using standard methods and disorders were observed following the split of the oral commissure. Heads with multiple disorders were counted once and of 313 heads, 114 (41.67 %) and 199 (58.33 %) were males and females, respectively. Heads aged <5 years was 18.21 %; 5-10 years, 44.41 %; and >15 years was 37.38 %. Whereas 22.61 % of the total heads had one disorder or another, 7.98 and 14.06 % of the disorders belonged to male and female heads, respectively. The prevalence rate of the disorders observed include dental tartar and calculus (5.42 %), inward rotation of incisors (2.87 %), fractured teeth (7.66 %), maleruption (0.31 %), oligodontia (0.31 %), gingivitis (4.15 %), ulcerated cheek(0.63 %), and presence of foreign body(0.31 %) in the mouth. Prevalence rate of oral-cavity abnormalities in relation to age of the total heads is 5.75, 5.11, and 10.54 % for animals <5, between 5 and 10 years, and 10-15 years, respectively. Furthermore, heads that were affected with various types of disorders are 31.58 % (<5 years of age), 11.51 % (aged 5-10 years), and 28.21 % (>15 years). The study serves as a call for increased oral-cavity health care of camels.

Investigation of the sensitivity and specificity of radiological signs for diagnosis of periapical infection of equine cheek teeth.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Radiography is commonly used for the diagnosis of equine cheek teeth (CT) infection but, to our knowledge, no study to date has evaluated the relative values of individual specific radiographic signs when making a diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of individual radiographic signs identified from the literature for the diagnosis of CT apical infection using a retrospective case-control study. METHODS: Cropped radiographs taken using computed radiography of 41 apically infected CT and 41 control CT were independently blindly evaluated by 3 clinicians for the presence of 12 predetermined radiographic signs associated with CT apical infection. A final diagnosis of either noninfected or infected was made. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the presence or absence of each radiographic sign for each clinician. Uni- and multivariable conditional logistic regression were used to determine strength of association of the 12 radiographic signs with apical infection. RESULTS: Median sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CT apical infection were 76 and 90%, respectively. Periapical sclerosis, clubbing of one or 2 roots, degree of clubbing and periapical halo formation had the highest sensitivities (73-90%), with moderate specificity (61-63%). Multivariable conditional logistic regression revealed that severity of periapical sclerosis and extensive periapical halo were strongly associated with CT apical infection. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of periapical sclerosis and formation of a periapical halo were strongly associated with CT apical infection. Computed radiography appears to have a higher sensitivity but similar specificity to previously published results using film radiography to detect CT apical infection. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: These findings may aid practitioners when interpreting radiographs of equine CT as to the relative significance of their findings.

Mortality and the magnitude of the "wild effect" in chimpanzee tooth emergence.

Age of tooth emergence is a useful measure of the pace of life for primate species, both living and extinct. A recent study combining wild chimpanzees of the Taï Forest, Gombe, and Bossou by Zihlman et al. (2004) suggested that wild chimpanzees erupt teeth much later than captives, bringing into question both comparisons within the hominin fossil record and assessment of chimpanzees. Here, we assess the magnitude of the "wild effect" (the mean difference between captive and wild samples expressed in standard deviation units) in these chimpanzees. Tooth emergence in these wild individuals is late, although at a more moderate level than previously recorded, with a mean delay conservatively estimated at about 1 SD compared to the captive distributions. The effect rises to 1.3 SD if we relax criteria for age estimates. We estimate that the mandibular M1 of these wild chimpanzees emerges at about 3 (2)/(3)-3 ¾ years of age. An important point, often ignored, is that these chimpanzees are largely dead of natural causes, merging the effect of living wild with the effect of early death. Evidence of mortality selection includes, specifically: younger deaths appear to have been more delayed than the older in tooth emergence, more often showed evidence of disease or debilitation, and revealed a higher occurrence of dental anomalies. Notably, delay in tooth emergence for live-captured wild baboons appears lower in magnitude (ca. 0.5 SD) and differs in pattern. Definitive ages of tooth emergence times in living wild chimpanzees must be established from the study of living animals. The fossil record, of course, consists of many dead juveniles; the present study has implications for how we evaluate them.