Rooted mosasaur tooth (Prognathodon)

[TeethCollector]

Hi everyone!

This is a Prognathodon tooth from Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco. I know that lots of rooted mosasaur tooth are composite or fake, so I am so happy to get such a nice rooted tooth from a reliable seller! The root has groove, which is a place for a new growing tooth, and has a great texture.

 

I wanted to soak this and wash out some dusts from the root, but I saw a thread that says I should not soak Moroccan fossils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Praefectus]

Do not soak it in water. Moroccan phosphate fossils often break when completely dunked. If you absolutely must remove the remaining matrix, use a combination of metal picks (dental tools, pins, etc.) and a very slightly damp toothbrush to pick away at it. If the matrix is stuck on there too hard, don't keep trying to remove it. You might break the fossil. 

[TeethCollector]

1 minute ago, Praefectus said:

Do not soak it in water. Moroccan phosphate fossils often break when completely dunked. If you absolutely must remove the remaining matrix, use a combination of metal picks (dental tools, pins, etc.) and a very slightly damp toothbrush to pick away at it. If the matrix is stuck on there too hard, don't keep trying to remove it. You might break the fossil. 

 

Thank you Praefectus. Yes I'll just keep those dust... It is better than breaking the fossil. I think it is good as it is.

I didn't know that it'll break if soaked in water...

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

Yeah, definitely don't soak in water, as I believe the replacement mineral in the phosphate mines might actually be gypsum. And we all know what happens to gypsum if it gets wet. A slight bit of dampness shouldn't hurt overly much, though, but consider using food-grade alcohol or acetone, which have higher evaporation rates and will therefore be less likely to damage your fossil. In addition, as Moroccan fossil preparators often use copious amounts of white glue (which may even harden matrix to the point of feeling like cement), acetone may be useful to wipe off some of the excess glue or soften spots for later preparation with a knife, pin or needle. Be careful when scratching using the latter metal tools, though, for while they easily remove soft matrix, they go through the bone just as easily...