Diphyodont
Encyclopedia
A Diphyodont is an animal with two successive sets of teeth, first the "deciduous
" set and later the "permanent
" set. Most mammals are Diphyodonts. Diphyodonts contrast with Polyphyodonts
, such as many fish, whose teeth are constantly replaced.
Deciduous teeth
Deciduous teeth, otherwise known as reborner teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. In some Asian countries they are referred to as fall teeth as they will eventually fall out, while in almost all...
" set and later the "permanent
Permanent teeth
Permanent teeth are the second set of teeth formed in humans. There are thirty-two permanent teeth, consisting of six maxillary and six mandibular molars, four maxillary and four mandibular premolars, two maxillary and two mandibular canines, four maxillary and four mandibular incisors.The first...
" set. Most mammals are Diphyodonts. Diphyodonts contrast with Polyphyodonts
Polyphydont
A polyphyodont is an animal whose teeth are continuously replaced. Most toothed fishes are polyphyodonts. Diphyodonts, on the other hand, are characterized by having only two successive sets of teeth. Reptiles and most other vertebrates are also polyphyodonts, mammals being the main exception....
, such as many fish, whose teeth are constantly replaced.