Research overview: serrations and microstructure of machairodont canines

This overview surveys studies of the fine structure of sabertooth canines, focusing on the serrations, or denticles, along their cutting edges and the internal histology of the teeth. Dirk-toothed cats like Smilodon bear finely serrated canines, whereas scimitar-toothed forms have coarser serrations, differences thought to relate to how each sliced through flesh. Microscopic and sectioning studies examine enamel thickness, dentine structure, and how serrations were maintained or worn during use. The survey reviews what serration form implies about cutting performance and prey processing, how denticles compare with those on the teeth of other predators, and how tooth microstructure informs debates about the strength, growth, and functional life of the elongated canines that define the sabertooth condition.