Tertiary dentin

When wear is severe tertiary dentin may form to help protect the pulp chamber.

[5] Chimpanzees have rates in between gorillas and humans, with 47% of worn teeth showing ‘healing’.

Clinical studies have researched the properties of tertiary dentin formation, including anatomy in both humans and animal models, usually from an oral health perspective.

[6] This suggests certain species may have evolved to produce tertiary dentin in response to dietary changes.

For example, gorillas may have evolved high rates of tertiary dentin as protection against severe wear, since they consume a lot of tough vegetation.

Tertiary dentin on the surface of a gorilla tooth. The darker area indicated by the white arrow is tertiary dentin and has formed as a response to tooth wear.