In a recent study a team of Israeli and German scientists discovered that freshwater crayfish (cherax quadricarinatus) have an enamel like layer in their mandibles that is incredibly similar to the enamel on teeth. It appears that they generate a highly mineralized coating of calcium phosphate in order to protect the soft tissue that is underneath. The end result is a composition that is remarkably similar to the teeth of vertebrae. Interesting how two completely different creatures ended up with the same result in order to protect chewing surfaces.
Since crustaceans molt several times throughout their life, they can rapidly regrow the enamel, since that is part of what is discarded. This may have exciting implications for dentistry as the study continues. Imagine being able to rapidly regrow teeth based on a crayfish. Does this mean the end of brushing is near? I don’t think dentists have much to worry about just yet, at least until having crayfish claws in your mouth become fashionable.