Chemical composition of enamel and dentine in modern reptile teeth

Elemental distribution maps by wavelength-dispersive electron microprobe of enamel and dentine in modern crocodile teeth illustrate variations in both minor and major elements. Mg has the largest difference between the enamel and dentine, being enriched in the dentine. Mg, Ca and P are not homogeneously distributed in the dentine, but their distribution reflects changes during growth of the teeth. These variations in compositional differences of teeth from modern samples potentially can assist in establishing growth rates in fossil teeth samples, and thereby provide information on the physiology of extant species.