Tooth blunting as a wound reduction strategy in group living vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) (2004)

Knezevich, M., Fairbanks, L.

Abstract

Wounding is a consistent feature of agonistic encounters between male vervet monkeys. In an effort to reduce the incidence and severity of wounding in our multimale/multifemale groups, we tested the efficacy of canine tooth blunting, a minor dental procedure in which the distal tips and caudal borders of canine teeth are removed without entering the pulp cavity. .. When canine tooth blunting of subadult males was generalized to a colony wide management strategy, wounds requiring veterinary intervention were reduced by 76% in the year following the procedure (t=(9)=8.14, p<0.001). This safe and relatively minor clinical intervention was extremely effective and particularly applicable to the specifics of vervet monkey anatomy and behavior.