A "Quick & Dirty" Guide to

• lower anterior teeth comb-like, each with an elongated base and multiple cusps
• bases of lower teeth thin and lacy
• upper teeth spike- or hook-like
• basses of upper teeth knob-like

Among the most fascinating of modern shark teeth; all hexanchiform sharks show pronounced sexual dimorphism in the anterior lower teeth, with mature males having an initial cusp much higher than subsequent ones.

• long, slender, smooth-edged blade
• small, secondary cusplet on either side of main blade
• strongly bilobed root
• large lingual protruberance (bulge) and nutrient groove at center of root

Specimens from southeastern Australia have consistently stouter dentition, leading to speculation that the Aussie Grey Nurse Shark is a distinct species or sub-species.

• broadly triangular, flattened, coarsely serrated blades
• serrae are irregular in size and spacing, a feature which helps distinguish teeth of this species from triangular and serrated toothed whaler sharks, such as the Oceanic Whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus)
• narrow scar separating blade from root
• strongly bilobed root, especially in anterior lower teeth

The most famous of all shark teeth, those from a large White Shark can command significant prices — a fact which renders this relatively uncommon species a target for trophy hunters.

• anterior upper teeth slender, knife-like and unsaerrated
• anterior lower teeth slender, recurved, and unserrated
• narrow scar separating blade from root
• strongly bilobed root, especially in anterior lower teeth

Teeth of this species were once used as currency by New Zealand Moaris; the Shortfin Mao is considered the premiere gamefish among sharks.

• deeply-notched, flattened blade with strong serrations at shoulders of blade, especially on inner margin
• main cusp smoothly curved
• blade height about equal to root breadth
• teeth alike in both jaws

One of the most beautifully-shaped of shark teeth; combines powerful puncturing capability (afforded by the deep primary notch) and efficient ripping (afforded by the large serrae on inner shoulder) — "can opener" dentition is ideally suited to tearing through the tough carapace of sea turtles.

• broad, flattened, serrated blade tapering to narrow apex
• serrations decreasing in size toward tip of blade
• squared-off root

The teeth of various species of whaler (grey) sharks can be very difficult to distinguish; it is probably best to regard all identifications as highly provisional.

• narrow, flattened, unserrated blade
• blade erect to slightly oblique
• squared-off root

Fossil teeth of this species are remarkably similar to the teeth from modern specimens.

• oblique, flattened blade with broad serrated shoulders tapering to narrow apex
• serrations consistent in size from shoulders to tip of blade
• squared-off root

The teeth of various species of hammerheads can be very difficult to distinguish; it is probably best to regard all identifications as highly provisional.