Canine Fracture Avulsion in Smilodon californicus

Abstract

Canine fracture avulsion in Smilodon californicus by Stewart Shermis. Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci., 84(2):86-95, 1985. Seven crania of Smilodon californicus were analysed for at least one ante-mortem loss of a maxillary canine per cranium. Two crania demonstrated clear evidence of post-traumatic cortical inflammation, the root of one canine was displaced into the nasal cavity while another is still in situ. All evidenced more or less healing of the alveolar socket. Given the healed traumatic lesions in ribs and scapulae of smilodon, it points to a structurally weak tooth which was employed in both hard and soft tissue.