Supernumerary Tusks in African Savanna Elephants (<em>Loxodonta africana</em>): A Case Series with Clinical Management and a Proposed Developmental Mechanism

Abstract

Abstract

Supernumerary teeth are well recognised in humans and domestic animals but are rarely reported in elephants. This case series describes four African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) with multiple tusk structures occupying a single alveolus. A 7-year-old bull presented with a deformed left tusk and behavioural changes. Clinical examination revealed two coronal openings, followed by eruption of three accessory tusks. Conservative intracavitary treatment and selective surgical removal of the accessory tusks preserved the primary tusk, which maintained normal eruption and function at 36-month follow-up. Additional cases comprised a bull that developed three tusks after traumatic fracture and removal of the fractured tusk remnant, an adult female with two tusks in one alveolus, and a dry specimen composed of five tusks, each with a distinct pulp canal. The continued eruption, organised morphology, separate pulp systems, and surgical separability of these structures support their interpretation as distinct supernumerary tusks rather than segmentation of the primary tusk or odontoma-like lesions. The developmental mechanism remains uncertain, but lifelong odontogenic activity in elephant tusks may permit formation of independent dentine-producing structures, and trauma may contribute in some cases. Selective removal of accessory tusks while preserving the primary tusk can provide a favourable long-term outcome.