Tooth replacement and growth in the young green iguana,Iguana iguana

A study using eight rapidly growing young green iguanas (Iguana iguana; initial mean weight 68.0 ± 3.8 gm) examined the changes in the wave replacement of teeth, the increased size of the teeth, and the posterior migration of tooth positions over a period of 16 weeks. The teeth increase in width as the lizards grow. The tooth positions shifted posteriorly, providing adequate space for the larger replacement teeth. These observations suggest that the wave replacement of teeth allows for growth of the dentition in length and height adequate to maintain tooth size in proportion to the overall size of the individual.