When a dog's teeth don't line up properly, it is called malocclusion. This can lead to complications with eating and using their mouth. Today, our Manchester vets discuss malocclusions in dogs, what causes them, and what your vet can do to help treat them.
Malocclusion in Dogs
The 42 teeth within your dog's mouth are divided into four sections.
- Incisors are the teeth located between the upper and lower jaws. They are used to grasp food and help keep the tongue in the mouth.
- Canine teeth are located on the sides of the incisors and are used to grasp food and other objects. The lower canines help keep the tongue in the mouth.
- Premolars are located behind the canines in the upper and lower jaws and shear or cut food.
- Molars are behind the premolars at the back of the mouth. They are used to grinding food and preparing it for swallowing.
Malocclusion is an abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth that can lead to an uncomfortable bite. It is also known as a dog scissor bite or an overbite.
What are the different types of malocclusion in dogs?
The two different types of malocclusion in dogs are dental and skeletal. Dental malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower jaw lengths are normal, but one or more teeth are out of alignment. Skeletal malocclusion results when an abnormal jaw length creates a malalignment of the teeth.
Types of Skeletal Malocclusion
Mandibular Distoclusion or Class 2 Malocclusion (MAL2): Also known as an overbite or overjet in dogs. This occurs when the lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw. When the mouth is closed, the lower jaw teeth do not occlude with their upper jaw counterparts. The upper premolars are too far from the nose than their lower jaw counterparts.
Mandibular Mesioclusion or Class 3 Malocclusion (MAL3): Also known as an underbite, undershot, reverse scissor bite, or mandibular prognathism. This is a condition in which the lower jaw is too long in relation to the upper jaw, and the lower teeth protrude in front of the corresponding upper teeth. If the jaw length difference is small, the upper and lower incisor teeth may meet edge to edge, resulting in an even or level bite.
Maxillomandibular Asymmetry: Upper and lower jaw asymmetry can manifest itself in various ways, including rostrocaudal asymmetry (upper and lower), side-to-side asymmetry (upper and lower), and an open bite (one or both sides). A lack of centering of the upper and lower jaws over each other causes side-to-side asymmetry. In contrast, rostrocaudal asymmetry is caused by a length disparity between the right and left sides. An abnormal (increased) space between the upper and lower jaws causes an open bite.
Types of Dental Malocclusion
Rostral & Caudal Crossbites: Rosrtal crossbite occurs when the canine and premolar teeth on both sides of the mouth are aligned, but one or more lower incisors are in front of the upper incisors when the mouth is closed. Caudal crossbite occurs when one or more lower cheek teeth are closer to the cheek than the opposing upper cheek teeth when the mouth is closed.
Linguoverted Mandibular Canines: This malocclusion is a condition in which the lower canine tooth is angled inward, resulting in traumatic contact between the linguoverted canine and the roof of the mouth. It can be treated using various methods, including tooth movement, crown reduction, restoration, or extraction.
Mesioverted Maxillary Canines: This dental malocclusion can be inherited (as in Shelties) or acquired due to persistent deciduous teeth.
What are the treatment options for dogs with malocclusion?
If your dog has malocclusion but can utilize their teeth and jaw just fine to eat, bark and chew, then you may not need to seek any treatment beyond an examination for diagnosis. Due to genetics, little can be done to 'correct' the dog's teeth or jaw alignment.
It's a different story if the malocclusion is causing pain, though. If this is the case, your vet will likely recommend the removal of the deciduous teeth. These teeth commonly cause issues for dogs. By monitoring the growth of your puppy's teeth and jaw while they are young, you can help avoid potential issues in the future.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.