Different functions of lower and upper lower teeth in Megalodon

Like many shark species, the lower and upper teeth have different shapes for different functions.

The lower teeth in Megalodon usually appear to be long, narrow, straight edged and dagger shaped with deep, often ‘V’ shaped roots, whilst the upper teeth are usually wider, often with curved edges and wide roots. Whilst the shape of a tooth is dependent on a number of other factors, including its position in the jaw, these teeth are shaped like this for a reason.

We use a knife and fork to eat steak – the fork (lower) is used to impale and secure the steak, whilst the knife (upper) is used to cut the steak. The same is true in Megalodon and from an engineering point of view, the narrow lowers with their deep roots are designed to withstand vertical forces, from impaling and pinning their prey, whilst the wide uppers are designed to withstand lateral forces when cutting their prey. 

The differences in shape and function may also help to explain some of the different types of damage observed in Megalodon teeth.

The photograph below shows the similarities between upper and lower teeth in Megalodon and a knife and fork:

Posted: 19 February 2014.