Insight into the Unique Dental Development of Mammoths
Unlike most mammals, mammoths replace their teeth in a unique way: horizontally, moving from the back of the jaw to the front. A tooth or molar actively used for grinding food is replaced by a larger subsequent tooth. This process occurs up to five times throughout the life cycle of a mammoth.

The Structure of Mammoth Teeth
A typical mammoth tooth is made up of plates called lamellae. These lamellae are layers of dentin surrounded by a thin layer of enamel. The plates are bonded together with dental cement. Over time, the use of the teeth creates a rough chewing surface, perfectly adapted for grinding hard food such as the grasses of the mammoth steppe.

The Mysterious Enamel Organ
At the back of the jaw lies a unique organ responsible for producing teeth: the enamel organ. This tissue-like structure continuously forms molars needed throughout the mammoth’s life. Discoveries of such bone-like tooth-producing organs are extremely rare and provide scientists with valuable insights into the evolution and biology of mammoths.