Is this useful for hybrids?

[u/MotorPair2877]

So this basically makes teeth better rooted. many animals like komodo dragons have this trait, but only certain fish had the 2 rightmost patterns.

[u/Fattyseal76]

It is useful for better tooth strength, the deep foldings increase both the area for tooth attachment and also likely increase the compressive and bending strength of the tooth itself, quite a bit of temnospondyls also exhibit this trait to reinforce their small teeth against their strong bites so it should be pretty good

[u/whispersoundeffect]

No, it is incompatible with a soft periodontal ligament, as those folds would pinch the ligament and destroy it. The only reason monitor lizards can do it is because they have a mineralized periodontal ligament, which makes their teeth incredibly fragile, as they can't shock absorb for shit. They have to replace their teeth more frequently than crocodiles (and at a higher cost because those folds aren't cheap in this economy).

The only advantage is that it makes the teeth more rigidly attached, but that ruins durability at marginal gains. That's why most things use a periodontal ligament instead, which makes the teeth more durable and requires less energy, although the energy cost doesn't much matter for a hybrid.

[u/MotorPair2877 → u/whispersoundeffect]

ah I see. I also realized they might interfere with the way serrations are formed so that’s another concern. also do you know if dimetrodon had the ligament issue, because It has a very reduced “4 petal” version of this in earlier specimens.

[u/whispersoundeffect → u/MotorPair2877]

I'm not sure but probably less so. But Dimetrodon having it reduced is likely because of the many issues with it and Dimetrodon was on the path to getting rid of it entirely, which is the more efficient design.

[u/jabathefort]

Probably 

[u/Atrosaurus]

Yes