Hey Wildlife Analytical Laboratories, What is Cementum Annuli Aging?

The basis for cementum aging is the cyclic nature of cementum deposits on the roots of mammals’ teeth each year. This results in formation of a pattern of “rings” in the tooth, like those formed in the wood of trees. A darkly staining ring, or “annulus”, is formed during winter on most all mammals. Abundant, lightly staining cementum is formed during the growth seasons of spring and summer. Some experts say these rings occur because of nutritional or seasonal stress, but since the same rings occur on human teeth, we at Wildlife Analytical Laboratories doubt that is true. Our research here at DeerAge.com suggests that it is of a natural, cyclical nature. The distance and quality of the cementum deposits can lend clues to the animal’s life such as injuries, times of nutritional deficiencies, and even young bearing years of bears. The purpose of these cementum layers on the roots of mammals’ teeth is to provide a new “rough” surface for the flesh in the jaw to adhere to the root of the teeth each year. Cementum annuli aging should not be used for deer less than 2½ because tooth eruption is adequate for deer of this age, is easily learned, and costs little. As whitetail deer and other mammals age, the teeth can be worn away greatly and in some cases, down below the gum line. This wear pattern has found enough consistency to become a widely accepted practice, however it’s accuracy compared to cementum annuli aging is truly abysmal. This makes cementum annuli aging at DeerAge.com the only way to discover the age of your trophy. You can learn how to extract the teeth of your game mammal by watching Brett Joy on YouTube at Just Hunt Club.