Carinodens measured approximately 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) in length and is one of the smallest known mosasaurs.
It was closely related to Globidens, though is scantly known in comparison.
The holotype specimen consists of an incomplete right dentary and most subsequently referred fossils are isolated teeth.
The holotype dentary only preserves the posteriormost teeth, meaning that until recently when more comprehensive material was recovered, most of the dentition of the genus (its most distinctive feature) was unknown.

Carinodens can easily be distinguished from the closely related Globidens by the compressed nature of its teeth and its relatively delicate dentary.

Russell (1967) offered a brief diagnosis (due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils) of the genus, then known as Compressidens: "Small projection of dentary anterior to first dentary tooth.
Median dentary teeth bilaterally compressed, bicarinate, subrectangular in lateral view and with pointed apices.
Anterior teeth circular in cross-section with strongly recurved pointed apices".
Carinodens measured approximately 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) in length and is one of the smallest known mosasaurs. It was closely related to Globidens, though is scantly known in comparison. The holotype specimen consists of an incomplete right dentary and most subsequently referred fossils are isolated teeth. The holotype dentary only preserves the posteriormost teeth, meaning that until recently when more comprehensive material was recovered, most of the dentition of the genus (its most distinctive feature) was unknown.
Carinodens can easily be distinguished from the closely related Globidens by the compressed nature of its teeth and its relatively delicate dentary.
Russell (1967) offered a brief diagnosis (due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils) of the genus, then known as Compressidens: "Small projection of dentary anterior to first dentary tooth. Median dentary teeth bilaterally compressed, bicarinate, subrectangular in lateral view and with pointed apices. Anterior teeth circular in cross-section with strongly recurved pointed apices".
Carinodens