Mechanisms of honing in the male baboon canine.

Male baboons use their sharp upper canines in aggressive interactions. These teeth are sharpened against specialized lower third premolars. The honing premolar is protected against wear by having very thick enamel and the upper canine having very thin enamel, not by structural or mineral differences between the two enamels. Evidence is presented which shows the interactions of enamel ultrastructure and both dentin and enamel wear in canine sharpening.