[Structural study and microanalysis of the teeth of the sparid Pagellus bellottii]

The dental system of Pagellus bellottii presents interesting characteristics. First, the radiodensity and the mineral analysis of the developing embedded teeth are similar to that of functional teeth. Second a dense fibrous tissue is observed within the dentinal subsurface and on the periphery of the supporting bone. This might indicate that the fibrous tissue acts as a damping device shock absorber with respect to the molar-shaped teeth, allowing them to support strong occlusal forces and making up for the lack of periodontium. Lastly, the enamel organ epithelium is deeply indented bounding long connective papillae with many blood vessels. These large spaces provided for intense metabolic exchange and the fact that the enameloid of the developing embedded teeth is almost completely mineralized indicate that odontogenesis in fishes is very quick, a different process from odontogenesis in superior vertebrates.