Mr. David Clippinger
Three smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) were observed over a
twelve month period at Walt Disney World's Living Seas pavilion at EPCOT Center. Monthly
sketches and photographs were used to document the regeneration of broken or damaged rostral
teeth.
The fibrous rostral teeth were found to grow continually. From observations,
regeneration of a broken tooth begins with the formation of an enamel-like tip. The tip
elongates from the cortex area along with growth at the socket base. Regenerative growth was
faster that normal growth with minor repairs taking less than one month. Tip formation was
delayed if the tooth base or socket was damaged.