In 2008, a team of scientists led by S. Wroe conducted an experiment to determine the bite force of the great white shark, using a 2.5-meter (8.2ft) long specimen, and then isometrically scaled the results for its maximum size and the conservative minimum and maximum body mass of megalodon. They placed the bite force of the latter between 108,514 to 182,201 newtons (24,395 to 40,960lbf) in a posterior bite, compared to the 18,216 newtons (4,095lbf) bite force for the largest confirmed great white shark, and 7,495 newtons (1,685lbf) for the placoderm fish Dunkleosteus. In addition, Wroe and colleagues pointed out that sharks shake sideways while feeding, amplifying the force generated, which would probably have caused the total force experienced by prey to be higher than the estimate. [51] [70] Sharks often employ complex hunting strategies to engage large prey animals. Great white shark hunting strategies may be similar to how megalodon hunted its large prey. [98] Megalodon bite marks on whale fossils suggest that it employed different hunting strategies against large prey than the great white shark. [57]

Genetics appear to be a likely cause of macrodontia. According to researchers, genetic mutations that regulate tooth growth could cause teeth to grow together. These mutations could also cause the teeth to continue growing without stopping at the right time. This results in larger than normal teeth. In 2002, paleontologist Kenshu Shimada of DePaul University proposed a linear relationship between tooth crown height and total length after conducting anatomical analysis of several specimens, allowing any sized tooth to be used. Shimada stated that the previously proposed methods were based on a less-reliable evaluation of the dental homology between megalodon and the great white shark, and that the growth rate between the crown and root is not isometric, which he considered in his model. Using this model, the upper anterior tooth possessed by Gottfried and colleagues corresponded to a total length of 15 meters (49ft). [63] Among several specimens found in the Gatún Formation of Panama, one upper lateral tooth was used by other researchers to obtain a total length estimate of 17.9 meters (59ft) using this method. [36] [64] Megalodon faced a highly competitive environment. [86] Its position at the top of the food chain [87] probably had a significant impact on the structuring of marine communities. [86] [88] Fossil evidence indicates a correlation between megalodon and the emergence and diversification of cetaceans and other marine mammals. [30] :78 [86] Juvenile megalodon preferred habitats where small cetaceans were abundant, and adult megalodon preferred habitats where large cetaceans were abundant. Such preferences may have developed shortly after they appeared in the Oligocene. [30] :74–75 a b c d e f g h i j k l Pimiento, C.; MacFadden, B. J.; Clements, C. F.; Varela, S.; Jaramillo, C.; Velez-Juarbe, J.; Silliman, B. R. (2016). "Geographical distribution patterns of Carcharocles megalodon over time reveal clues about extinction mechanisms". Journal of Biogeography. 43 (8): 1645–1655. doi: 10.1111/jbi.12754. S2CID 55776834. Orthodontics can help straighten your teeth and expand your jaw if necessary. A device called a palate expander can stretch your jaw so your teeth fit better in your mouth.

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a b Bressan, D. (14 January 2016). "How the Dissection Of A Shark's Head Revealed The True Nature Of Fossils". Forbes. Most people would balk at coming face to face with a ’gator. Human teeth grow to around 1cm in length but this hardly compares to the flesh rending 4 cm beauties sported by adult alligators. a b c d Pimiento, C.; Balk, M. A. (2015). "Body-size trends of the extinct giant shark Carcharocles megalodon: a deep-time perspective on marine apex predators". Paleobiology. 41 (3): 479–490. Bibcode: 2015Pbio...41..479P. doi: 10.1017/pab.2015.16. PMC 4541548. PMID 26321775. Megalodon is considered to be a member of the family Otodontidae, genus Otodus, as opposed to its previous classification into Lamnidae, genus Carcharodon. [22] [26] [23] [7] [27] Megalodon's classification into Carcharodon was due to dental similarity with the great white shark, but most authors believe that this is due to convergent evolution. In this model, the great white shark is more closely related to the extinct broad-toothed mako ( Isurus hastalis) than to megalodon, as evidenced by more similar dentition in those two sharks; megalodon teeth have much finer serrations than great white shark teeth. The great white shark is more closely related to the mako shark ( Isurus spp.), with a common ancestor around 4Mya. [28] [29] Proponents of the former model, wherein megalodon and the great white shark are more closely related, argue that the differences between their dentition are minute and obscure. [30] :23–25 Megalodon tooth with two great white shark teeth

While there are some features that set the fossils apart from other known ichthyosaurs, the scientists are not confident enough to either assign them to any existing species or name a new one. The processes that formed the Alps have deformed the fossils, which makes it difficult to link them to the remains of relatives found elsewhere. Sharks continually produce teeth throughout their entire lives. Depending on what they eat, sharks lose a set of teeth every one to two weeks, getting through up to 40,000 teeth in their lifetime. This means that shark teeth are continuously raining down onto the ocean floor, increasing the chance that they will get fossilised. Despite their size, these animals are often absent from the fossil record, with most remains often being fragments of much larger bones. Teeth are even more uncommon, with this new discovery only the second ever found from a giant ichthyosaur.

But What Did They Look Like?

If they can’t find any cause of your enlarged teeth, they may recommend that you visit a cosmetic dentist. A cosmetic dentist can tell you what treatment options can improve the look of your teeth. Orthodontics So while the more robust teeth become fossilised relatively easily, only in very special circumstances will soft tissue be preserved. Another model of the evolution of this genus, also proposed by Casier in 1960, is that the direct ancestor of the Carcharocles is the shark Otodus obliquus, which lived from the Paleocene through the Miocene epochs, 60 to 13Mya. [29] [32] The genus Otodus is ultimately derived from Cretolamna, a shark from the Cretaceous period. [7] [34] In this model, O. obliquus evolved into O. aksuaticus, which evolved into C. auriculatus, and then into C. angustidens, and then into C. chubutensis, and then finally into C. megalodon.

Though sharks are generally opportunistic feeders, megalodon's great size, high-speed swimming capability, and powerful jaws, coupled with an impressive feeding apparatus, made it an apex predator capable of consuming a broad spectrum of animals. Otodus megalodon was probably one of the most powerful predators to have existed. [53] A study focusing on calcium isotopes of extinct and extant elasmobranch sharks and rays revealed that megalodon fed at a higher trophic level than the contemporaneous great white shark ("higher up" in the food chain.) [81]If modern day lions have arguably the largest teeth of any land predator today then the smilodon or sabre-toothed tiger had the most pitiless maw of any prehistoric mammal. Their infamous out-sized canines could be a staggering 23 cm in length.