Why do elephant tusks count as enlarged incisors?

In the context of dentistry, elephant tusks are classified as enlarged incisors because they develop from the upper incisor teeth rather than from the canine teeth. Unlike many other mammals that possess tusks—such as the walrus or wild boar, whose tusks are modified canines—elephants lack canine teeth entirely.12

These specialized incisors are composed of ivory, a variety of dentin, and are characterized by their continuous growth throughout the animal's lifetime. Anatomically, about one-third of the tusk remains embedded within the bone sockets of the elephant's skull, while the exposed portion serves various functional purposes, including defense, digging, and gathering food. Because they are rooted in the upper jaw as incisors, they are distinct from the canine-derived tusks found in other species.1342