The tooth to pad relationship in sheep - some mechanical considerations

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Abstract
The anterior dentition of the sheep appears to have evolved under conditions where animals were able to exert a friction or “nip” force between their incisors and upper dental pads. In order to exert such a force it is essential that the incisors bite into rather than slide ilround the front of the pad. The forces involved in tooth to pad contact are illustrated for newly erupted teeth with the “nip” force, for teeth with a moderate degree of wear, and for teeth in the unstable position where they are at the front of the pad and no longer able to experience this nip force. It is shown that when the incisors are in this unstable position the resultant change in direction of the bite force on the tips of the teeth may be as much as a right angle. The overturning torque and therefore the mechanical stresses at the tooth root would thus be increased to many times their normal values. The consequent damage to the supporting tissues of the teeth may lead to increased mobility of the teeth and resorption of bone, which are symptoms of periodontal disease in sheep

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