Hadrosaur Teeth - Which One Is A Keeper?

[AJ Plai]

Hi, I recently got a bunch of Hell Creek materials of which many I will be adding the best specimens to my current collection while some specimens I am looking to trade with some fellow collectors in my local group and I would like some second opinions from eyes of experienced collectors or connoisseur of Hadrosaur teeth. At the moment I have two Hadrosaur teeth of very similar in size, and to my eyes - similar quality:

Specimen A:

Specimen B:

My first impression of the specimens seem to make me lean slightly towards keeping Specimen A since its looks "cleaner" and without matrix debris all around it but on the other hand Specimen B looks a little more solid in shape and weight, so it's beginning to make me doubt my choice a little so I would like to ask for 3rd opinions from u guys whether if it were you, which specimen is a better keep and why - subjective or objective opinions are welcomed.

Thx for the input and opinions in advance

[Troodon]

Hi AJ

Specimen A is a nice lower tooth but appears to have a small portion of the bottom missing. I think specimen B is an upper tooth and complete. The little matrix on its sides on it probably been held there with glue which can easily be removed with acetone and blade. What appears to be matrix on the left image and on the left side of the tooth is actually part of the tooth as well as the back. I've attached a front and back of an upper so you can see what it looks like. So its your call but I would keep both.

[Raggedy Man]

At the moment, I have close to if not more than half a ton of rocks, minerals and fossils in my collection. To this day every specimen picked up on my adventures I've kept. So I say keep both...lol

[MarcoSr]

Keep B for sure. Nicer and more complete. But I would also keep A.

Marco Sr.

[squali]

I would say keep A and trade me B

[Opisthotriton]

On tooth B - is that matrix or bone on the back of it? On the front view, the root seems to be growing over the enamel of the crown, which is very odd. And that root material looks continuous with the texture on the back. Maybe this tooth is in badly-cleaned matrix that for some reason looks like bone, or maybe it is a very pathologic tooth. Or maybe the root is actually sculpted matrix? A closeup of the "matrix" under a microscope would help tell the difference.

[PFOOLEY]

B is very unusual. If that is jaw bone encasing it...then you have yourself a very nice unerupted tooth...a keeper for sure!

[Troodon]

Here is a image of one of my maxilla's with teeth similar to B in position on the jaw. Its a typical upper tooth and I don't think its unerupted. This is an Edmontosaurus from the Hell Creek and the same species as B. I also think B is a better tooth than A.

[AJ Plai]

Thx for the opinions guys. It looks like my hunch was right to have asked for more opinions here. Looks to me like the specimen B is the better one.