Mandibular anesthesia and tooth extraction in the bottlenosed dolphin.

Anatomical dissections were done to show the innervation of the teeth and mandible of the bottlenosed dolphin (Turslops truncatus). Using structural landmarks, a method has been devised for anesthetizing the lower jaw. With this procedure teeth can be extracted and age determined by counting dentine layers in sections of etched teeth. Animals of the most desirable ages can thus be selected and the ages of animals already in captivity can be determined.