Anatomo-radiographic study of prenatal development of bovine fetal teeth

The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge of the time of appearance of dental germs and their morphological development until birth in bovine fetuses. Skulls and isolated mandibles of 35 Simmenthal bovine fetuses, of both sexes and ages from 97 to 280 days old were examined. The radiographic examination was performed with high definition and mamofilms. The exposure values ranged from 36 kV-6 mAs to 55 kV-12 mAs according to skull dimensions. In this study, the first dental germ was observed at 97 days, identified as the third maxillar premolar tooth. Through the morphological study and accurate description of the lingual and vestibular aspect of the occlusive surface of the teeth, three roots for the third and fourth maxillar premolar teeth and two for the second maxillar premolar tooth were observed. Two roots for the second and third mandibular premolar teeth and three for the fourth mandibular premolar tooth were also observed. The germ of the first mandibular molar tooth was seen at 140 days and the first of the maxillar arch at 280 days.