overshot jaw puppy brands

Since the teeth overlap, the dog has trouble chewing food. In addition, the lower jaw teeth may hit the roof repeatedly and cause injuries in the process.

overshot jaw puppy brands

According to the AKC breed standard, Boxers have an undershot jaw. The lower jaw should jut forward from the upper and curve upward. These large, athletic, and wrinkly beasts are great companions for individuals and families alike.

Severe underbites can result in tooth wear, jaw pain, difficulty eating, or damage to the gums or palette. If your puppy begins to exhibit signs of an underbite, it’s recommended to take them to a veterinarian to see if treatmentis necessary.

Sometimes, a young dog’s underbite may correct itself. However, it’s most likely that if your puppy is exhibiting an underbite, it will have it throughout its life. This is especially true if you have a brachycephalic or small breed.

overshot jaw puppy brands

An overbite is a genetic, hereditary condition where a dog"s lower jaw is significantly shorter than its upper jaw. This can also be called an overshot jaw, overjet, parrot mouth, class 2 malocclusion or mandibular brachynathism, but the result is the same – the dog"s teeth aren"t aligning properly. In time, the teeth can become improperly locked together as the dog bites, creating even more severe crookedness as the jaw cannot grow appropriately.

Dental examinations for puppies are the first step toward minimizing the discomfort and effects of an overbite. Puppies can begin to show signs of an overbite as early as 8-12 weeks old, and by the time a puppy is 10 months old, its jaw alignment will be permanently set and any overbite treatment will be much more challenging. This is a relatively narrow window to detect and correct overbites, but it is not impossible.

Small overbites often correct themselves as the puppy matures, and brushing the dog"s teeth regularly to prevent buildup can help keep the overbite from becoming more severe. If the dog is showing signs of an overbite, it is best to avoid any tug-of-war games that can put additional strain and stress on the jaw and could exacerbate the deformation.

If the dog is young enough, however, tooth extraction is generally preferred to correct an overbite. Puppies have baby teeth, and if those teeth are misaligned, removing them can loosen the jaw and provide space for it to grow properly and realign itself before the adult teeth come in. Proper extraction will not harm those adult teeth, but the puppy"s mouth will be tender after the procedure and because they will have fewer teeth for several weeks or months until their adult teeth have emerged, some dietary changes and softer foods may be necessary.

overshot jaw puppy brands

Enzo is the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Hospital Pet of the Month for May. Everyone knows that puppies need vaccines to keep them healthy and protected from diseases. However, it can be easy to underestimate the benefits of thorough and regular examinations when puppies are growing into adulthood. Every breed has special characteristics that make them unique and add to their appeal and sometimes there are physical changes that need to be addressed quickly. For this reason our veterinarians believe in examinations with every vaccine, especially during a puppy’s formative months.

Enzo is a short-haired Havanese and he was born with his lower jaw shorter than the upper jaw. This is called an Overbite, also referred to as an Overshot Jaw, a Parrot Mouth or Mandibular Brachygnathism. This malocclusion is a genetic change and can be seen in a number of breeds, oftentimes collie related breeds and dachshunds. Occasionally this change happens because of differences in the growth of the upper and lower jaws, and in many cases it doesn’t cause any significant problems other than cosmetically.

Dr. Robin Riedinger evaluated Enzo at his first visit when he was just 11 weeks of age and while the lower jaw was too short, there was no evidence of damage and no indication that this was causing a problem for Enzo. When there is abnormal occlusion of the teeth, it is important to monitor closely for trouble caused by the teeth being aligned improperly. Malocclusions can lead to gum injuries, puncturing of the hard palate, abnormal positioning of adjacent teeth, abnormal wear and bruising of the teeth, permanent damage and subsequent death of one or more teeth, and in the long run, premature loss of teeth. Some malocclusions can be severe enough to interfere with normal eating and drinking.

Within three weeks, when Enzo was only 3.5 months old, it was clear that our doctors would need to intervene. The left and right sides of Enzo’s upper jaw (maxilla) were growing at different rates because the lower canine teeth were being trapped by the upper canine teeth. This is called Dental Interlock. Because the teeth are ‘locked’ in place, the lower jaw cannot grow symmetrically and this creates a number of other problems. Early intervention is critical.

The solution for Dental Interlock is to extract the teeth from the shorter jaw; in this case, the lower ‘baby’ canines and thereby allow the lower jaw (mandible) to grow in the best way possible. This procedure is most effective when the Dental Interlock is discovered early and the extractions are performed quickly. In some cases, this can be as early as ten weeks of age. Dr. Riedinger consulted with a local veterinary dental specialist to confirm the treatment plan and to get advice on extracting the deciduous teeth without damaging the developing adult canines. Dental radiographs are essential to proper extraction technique and also to ensure that there are no other abnormalities below the gumline.

Once extracted, each deciduous canine tooth was about 2 centimeters long; the roots were about 1.5 centimeters. Many people are surprised to learn that the root of a dog’s tooth is so large – 2/3 to 3/4 of the tooth is below the gumline. This is one reason why it is so important to use radiographs to evaluate teeth on a regular basis, not just in a growing puppy. Adult teeth can, and frequently do, have problems that are only visible with a radiograph.

Enzo came through his procedure extremely well. He was given pain medications for comfort and had to eat canned foods and avoid chewing on his toys for the next two weeks to ensure that the gum tissue healed properly. As he continues to grow we will be monitoring how his jaw develops and Dr. Riedinger will also be watching the alignment of his adult canine teeth when they start to emerge around six months of age. Hopefully this early intervention will minimize problems for Enzo in the future.

overshot jaw puppy brands

Here is a visual look into what an “undershot” and “overshot” jaw looks like. In recent years, I’ve noticed more and more dogs with this issue. Can a dog live productive life with a malocclusion: (imperfect positioning of the teeth when a jaws closed) Yes but with some issues along the way.

Let’s begin with a puppy will have 28 “puppy teeth” by the time it reaches six months old (this number can vary from breed to breed) By adulthood, most breeds will have a total of 42 teeth. As defined above a malocclusion or simply a misalignment of a dog’s teeth occurs when their bite does not fit accordingly beginning as puppy’s teeth come in and worsening as their adult teeth follow.

the upper jaw is longer than the lower one, an overshot or overbite. When a dogs mouth is closed, a gap between the upper and lower incisors (teeth) will be present. In most cases, puppies are born with a slight over/under bite and with time the problem can correct itself if the gap is not too large. What should be noted is if a dog’s bite remains over/undershot by 8-10 months old, that’s how it will remain for the remainder of its life. In overbite’s the structure may worsen as the permanent teeth come in as they are larger and can damage the soft parts of the mouth. Teeth extractions are sometimes necessary.

Structural dentition of a puppies jaw should be checked very early on to help eliminate this issue. Unfortunately most dog owners won’t notice until is late in the game. More so is the issues of backyard and/or inexplicable breeders breeding dogs with undershot/overshot jaws and potentially passing along this trait to future generations.

With an overbite, the upper jaw is longer than the lower one. When the mouth is closed, a gap between the upper and lower incisors occurs. Puppies born with an overbite will sometimes have the problem correct itself if the gap is not too large. However, a dog’s bite will usually set at ten months old. At this time improvement will not happen on its own. Your pet’s overbite may worsen as the permanent teeth come in because they are larger and can damage the soft parts of the mouth. Teeth extractions are sometimes necessary.

Problems that can arise from malocclusion are; difficulty chewing, picking up food and other objects, dogs with overshot jaws tend to pick up larger chunks of food since they can’t chew nor pick up smaller morsels which can lead to choking and future intestinal issues. These dogs are also prone to tartar and plaque build up which if left untreated can lead to other significant health issues such as heart problems. Other issues are listed below:

#dog #dogs #puppy #pup #puppies #puppylove #pets #life #family #bulldog #maltese #mastiff #chihuahua #cockerspaniel #vet #meds #instadog #instagood #instadaily

overshot jaw puppy brands

The Collie is a popular dog breed that is often affected by overbites. Overbites in dogs, similar to overbites in humans, occur when the lower jaw is abnormally short, especially in comparison to the upper jaw.

Typically, we will notice if your Collie has an overbite as a puppy. In most instances, we will recommend orthodontic intervention, in which we perform a treatments while the dog is young, and the facial structure is still growing. In some instances, we will need to extract all of the baby teeth in the lower dental arch to prevent discomfort and aid in forward growth of the lower jaw.

overshot jaw puppy brands

Undershot is a class III malocclusion that is also referred to as mandibular prognathism, maxillary brachygnathism, mandibular mesioclusion, or an underbite. This malocclusion is characterized by a shorter upper jaw and a longer lower jaw, resulting in lower teeth that are in front of the upper teeth. While this condition is normal for some breeds, such as Bulldogs, in many breeds it is unusual. An undershot jaw occurs when the lower jaw grows faster than normal and becomes longer than the upper jaw, and is usually evident around 8 weeks of age in puppies. This misalignment can cause soft tissue trauma, such as to the lips. When the incisors meet instead of fitting next to each other, it is called a level bite. When the malocclusion causes the lower incisors to be placed in front of the upper incisors, it is called a reverse scissors bite.

The cause of overshot and undershot jaws in dogs relate to the increased or decreased rate of growth of the upper and lower jaws in relation to one another. This can occur due to a: Genetic disorder Trauma; Systemic infection ;Nutritional disorder; Endocrine disorder; Abnormal setting of puppy teeth; Early or late loss of puppy teeth.

After a quick physical exam, your vet may have to sedate your dog in order to perform a thorough oral exam. This will assess your dog’s skull type and teeth location in relation to the teeth on the opposite jaw. Often, the placement of the upper and lower incisors in relation to one another can determine what type of malocclusion your dog has. Your vet will note any areas of trauma due to teeth striking those areas, and any cysts, tumors, abscesses, or remaining puppy teeth that may be present. A dental X-ray can also help to assess the health of the jaws and teeth. These diagnostic methods will lead to a diagnosis of an overshot or undershot jaw in your dog.

Treatment of a jaw misalignment will depend on the severity of the condition. If your dog has a misalignment, but can still bite and chew food without problems, no treatment may be needed. If the misalignment is caught early in a puppy’s life, it may only be temporary and may correct itself over time. However, there are times when intervention may be needed. If your puppy’s teeth are stopping the normal growth of his jaws, then surgery to remove those puppy teeth may be performed. This may allow the jaws to continue to grow, but will not make them grow. For older dogs who are experiencing pain and trauma due to misaligned jaws and teeth, oral surgery is generally performed to extract teeth that are causing trauma, to move teeth so that they fit, or to create space for a misaligned tooth to occupy. Other therapies include crown reductions or braces.

If your dog is genetically programmed to have an overshot or undershot jaw, intervention can help, but will not slow or stop the abnormal growth of either jaw. Prevent jaw misalignments in puppies by not breeding dogs who have overshot or undershot jaws.

overshot jaw puppy brands

A dog with an overbite has misaligned teeth. If the top jaw is longer than the lower jaw, this misalignment is called an overbite. Dogs should not be bred for this trait, but it can occur in puppies. Whether it’s a concern for your dog depends on the extent.

In most cases, when a dog is found to have an overbite, there is a hereditary history of the problem. This means that if either parent has an overbite, the puppies are more likely to have one as well. Be aware that this is not true in all cases. Even if both parents have perfect teeth, a puppy could still end up with an overbite. However, due to the role genetics play, some breeds are much more likely to suffer from overbites.

Dogs with a long and narrow muzzle are more likely to have an upper jaw longer than a lower jaw, resulting in an overbite. Dogs with this face structure are referred to as dolichocephalic dog breeds. These breeds include:

At the other end of the scale are dogs with a short face and wide muzzle. These dogs are more likely to have a lower jaw longer than an upper jaw, resulting in an underbite. Dogs with this face structure are referred to as brachycephalic dog breeds. These breeds include:

If you look at the teeth of a very young dog, you will likely notice a puppy overbite. Puppies are naturally born with a longer upper jaw to allow them to nurse.

The lower jaw develops slower and typically goes through a growth spurt around the time a dog starts eating solid food. If you’re checking out a dog older than four weeks and you still see an apparent overbite, there may be an issue.

First, you should ask to see the parents and ask about their history to understand if they currently have an overbite or had one in the past. You should also have the puppy checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. They will be able to tell you if it is a mild overbite or a serious cause for concern.

You may be wondering, “Will a puppy overbite correct itself?” In some cases, it will. Remember that most dogs are born with an overbite, which will go away by the time they are four to six weeks old.

Dogs that still have an overbite after six weeks of age may have it resolve naturally as they grow, particularly if it is a mild case. However, for dog overbite correction to be successful, it is critical to act while the puppy is still young.

If a puppy’s teeth come in too soon, she may lock the jaw growth in place, as the lower teeth will not be able to move forward with the upper teeth in the way.

If this is diagnosed early, before 16 weeks of age, a veterinarian may be able to remove the lower puppy canines to allow the lower jaw to continue growing. After the procedure, it’s possible the overbite will resolve itself, although it is not a guarantee.

If a puppy is older than four weeks and appears to have an overbite, it is cause for concern. You should carefully consider buying a breed that is well-known for suffering from teeth misalignment, even without a visible overbite.

overshot jaw puppy brands

In humans, identifying a clear underbite is quite simple, as we all have relatively similar jaw structures. There is a clear definition and appearance for what is “normal” when it comes to dental health. However, when it comes to canines, there is a less clear definition of “normal.”

In some breeds, underbites are actually the result of intentional breeding practices. Some breeders may breed their pups specifically to engineer the type of jaw structure of a bulldog or a boxer. Like other questionable breeding practices, this crosses a line for some people. Underbites can cause discomfort and health problems for some dogs, so many believe that intentionally breeding underbite dog breeds is wrong.

This misalignment can sometimes self-correct as the dog develops. This is particularly true in some breeds with more pronounced muzzles, in which slight underbites are common. With that said, most small dogs that show symptoms as a young puppy will likely have a dog underbite for the rest of their lives. As a rule of thumb, the alignment of a dog’s teeth is typically permanent once it reaches about 10 months old—although this can vary from breed to breed.

overshot jaw puppy brands

The mouth (usually called the dog"s bite) is the terminology used to ascertain how the teeth in the upper and lower jaws meet when the mouth is closed. This depends on two factors - the length of the actual jaws relative to one another, and the position of the teeth themselves. Dog Show Judges usually assess the bite by just looking at the front of the mouth which may or may not consist of straight teeth. So it is also important to also look down the sides of the mouth to ascertain the complete bite.

A normal scissors bite is where the incisor teeth in the upper jaw are in contact with but slightly overlap those in bottom jaw. This also produces a "scissor" appearance in the way the pre-molars and molars meet down the side of the mouth.

Some people interpret a normal scissor bite to be functionally the same as a level bite. Certainly, in both cases the jaws are the same length. However, a level or pincer bite is one where the incisor teeth meet exactly, surface to surface. A level bite differs from the normal scissors bite (pictured) in that the upper incisors do not slightly overlap those incisors in the bottom jaw.

Some Breed Standards like the Airedale Terrier call for a vice-like bite or a mouths closing like a vice. This refers to the mechanism of the jaws and the way they grip rather than whether the teeth are in a level or scissors arrangement. This is the opposite of the soft mouth required by a Gundog which is required to retrieve.

In an undershot mouth, the lower jaw is perceptibly longer than the upper jaw. Where the upper jaw is also turned upwards so the chin is visible, the jaw has more gripping power as in the case of the Bulldog, Boxer and Dogue de Bordeaux. An undershot mouth is also typical of brachycephalic toy breeds like the Pug, Pekingese and King Charles Spaniel.

A Reverse Scissors Bite is an undershot mouth where there is no gap between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. However, the top surface of the teeth in the upper jaw must actually touch the under surface of the teeth in the lower jaw for it to be called a "Reverse Scissors Bite", typical in the Lhasa Apso and the Tibetan Terrier.

Overshot is the opposite of undershot. Here the top jaw is physically longer than the lower jaw. This can affect the mouth"s function as an overshot mouth usually indicates a weakness in the lower jaw.

A weak lower jaw can also manifest itself in not just the position of the incisors to one another, but also by a reduction in the width of the lower jaw itself and consequently often the number of teeth contained in the lower jaw.

In the accompanying photo illustrates a weak lower jaw with a reduced number of incisors. There are only 4 incisors in the lower jaw instead of the 6. I have also seen a dog with only 3 incisors in the lower jaw. 5 incisors instead of 6 is also common. This weakness was evident in this particular dog"s baby teeth.

A wry mouth is also a bad bite problem. When the right hand side of the mouth is longer than the left, or vice versa, it causes the jaws to be completely out of alignment with one other. Sometimes the mouth cannot close properly. This is the worst possible constructional mouth fault as it can cause the dog not only discomfort, but also eating difficulties.

A baby puppies" teeth first erupt at around 3 weeks of age. By around 6 weeks or so, 28 "milk" or puppy teeth have usually erupted. These should consist of

Teething occurs during a very fast stage of the puppy"s overall development. As the puppy"s head grows, the skull including the upper jaw sometimes develops quicker than the lower jaw. This can give the impression that the baby puppy is overshot, which as an adult it is not.

Additionally, a baby puppy can have a beautiful scissor bite as a baby, but if the bottom jaw keeps growing after the skull has reached maturity, the adult could finish up being slightly undershot.

Note the pain of teething can also affect the carriage of the baby puppy"s ears. Those with pricked ears often are not fully erect until after the teething process is fully complete.

Malocclusion is the term used when the teeth themselves are crooked and hence not in their correct position. Usually this is purely a tooth alignment fault rather than an overshot or undershot jaw fault which is dependent on the length of the jaws relative to one another.

Pictured is the most common malocclusion where the two central incisor teeth in the lower jaw have grown in front of, rather than behind the teeth in the upper jaw. A malocclusion like the one illustrated can be caused by the two teeth in the lower jaw being physically smaller than the other incisors. In this case, this type of malocclusion might be inherited.

But it is more likely that this type of malocclusion is caused by the baby teeth in the bottom jaw coming out too soon, often because the puppy is playing tug-of-war games at the crucial time when teething is beginning. This can pull the newly developed teeth in the lower jaw outwards into the space vacated by the baby teeth. Then these teeth continue to grow in front of the teeth in the upper jaw, instead of behind them. This condition can be exacerbated by the baby teeth in the upper jaw being retained so the new teeth wedge themselves behind those in the lower jaw as illustrated above.

overshot jaw puppy brands

You can download this article on puppy teeth problems as an ebook free of charge (and no email required) through the link below. This comprehensive article covers such topics as malocclusions, overbites, underbites and base narrow canines in dogs. Special emphasis is placed on early intervention – a simple procedure such as removing retained puppy teeth can save many problems later on.

The ‘carnassial’ teeth are the large specialised pair of teeth towards the back of the mouth on each side, which work together like the blades of a pair of scissors. The upper carnassial is the fourth premolar, while the lower one is the first molar The upper jaw is the maxilla, and the lower jaw is the mandible.

Malocclusion is the termed used for an abnormal bite. This can arise when there are abnormalities in tooth position, jaw length, or both. The simplest form of malocclusion is when there are rotated or crowded teeth. These are most frequently seen in breeds with shortened muzzles, where 42 teeth need to be squeezed into their relatively smaller jaws. Affected teeth are prone to periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth, including the gums and jawbone), and early tooth loss.

Class II malocclusions (‘overshot’) arise when the lower jaw is relatively short compared with the upper jaw. This type of occlusion is NEVER considered normal and can result in significant and painful trauma to the upper gums, hard palate and teeth from the lower canines and incisors.

Class III malocclusions (‘undershot’, ‘prognathism’) occur when the lower jaw is relatively long compared with the upper jaw. The upper incisors may either meet the lower ones (level bite) or sit behind them (reverse scissor bite). While this is very common, and considered normal for some breeds, it can cause problems if the upper incisors are hitting the floor of the mouth or the lower teeth (similar problems to rostral crossbite). If the lower canines are striking the upper incisors, the accelerated dental wear often results in dead or broken teeth.

Class IV malocclusions (‘wry bite’) occur when there is a deviation of one or both jaws in any direction (up and down, side to side or front to back). These may be associated with mild to severe problems with chewing, damage to teeth and oral tissues, and chronic pain.

Normal development of the teeth and jaws is largely under genetic control, however environmental forces such as nutrition, trauma, dental interlock and other mechanical forces can also affect the final outcome.

Most malocclusions involving jaw length (skeletal) abnormalities are genetic in origin. We need to recognise this as it has enormous implications if you are planning to breed, as once a malocclusion is established in a line, it can be heartbreaking work to try and breed it back out.

The exact genes involved in jaw development are not yet well understood. We do know that the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates, at different times, and are under separate genetic control. In fact, the growth of one only affects the growth of the other if there is physical contact between them via the teeth. This contact is called ‘dental interlock’.

When the upper and lower teeth are locked against each other, the independent growth of either jaw is severely limited. This can occasionally work in the dog’s favour, for example if the lower jaw is slightly long compared with the upper jaw, the corner incisors may lock the lower canines in position behind them, limiting any further growth spurts of the lower jaw.

However, in many cases, dental interlock interferes with jaw development in a negative way. A classic example we see regularly in our practice is when a young puppy has a class II malocclusion (relatively short lower jaw) and the lower deciduous canines are locked behind the upper deciduous canines, or trapped in the tissues of the hard palate. In these cases, even if the lower jaw was genetically programmed to catch up to the upper jaw, it cannot physically do so.

Extraction of these teeth will not stimulate jaw growth, but will allow it to occur if nature (ie genetic potential) permits. It also relieves the painful trauma caused by the teeth to the hard palate whenever the pup closes its mouth (and we all know how sharp those baby teeth are!!). More information on interceptive orthodontics can be found later in this book.

It is crucial to remember that genetic malocclusions are not usually seen in all puppies in an affected litter as they are not dominant traits. Puppies can carry the genes contributing to genetic faults without showing any physical signs at all. If an affected puppy is noted, extreme caution should be exerted when planning future breeding from the parents and siblings, and neutering of the affected puppy is strongly recommended.

Although diet often gets the blame for development of malocclusions, the role of nutrition is actually much less significant than is often believed. Obviously gross dietary deficiencies will affect bone and tooth development, for example severe calcium deficiency can lead to ‘rubber jaw’. However, the vast majority of puppies are on balanced, complete diets and have adequate nutrient intake for normal bone and tooth development.

One myth I have heard repeated by several owners is that strict limitation of a puppy’s dietary intake can be used to correct an undershot jaw. This is simply NOT true. Limiting calories will NOT slow the growth of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw (both jaws receive the same nutrient supply). Such a practice is not only ineffective, it can be detrimental for the puppy’s overall growth and development.

Trauma, infection and other mechanical forces may affect growth and development of the jaws and teeth. Developing tooth buds are highly sensitive to inflammation and infection, and malformed teeth may erupt into abnormal positions (or not erupt at all!). Damage to developing teeth can also occur if the jaw is fractured.

Retained or persistent deciduous (puppy) teeth can also cause malocclusions by forcing the erupting adult teeth into an abnormal position. As previously mentioned, this may be a genetic trait, but can also occur sporadically in any breed of dog.

A full bite assessment can help differentiate between malocclusions which are due to shifting of teeth alone, and those which have an underlying genetic basis. Contact me if you would like to arrange a bite assessment for your puppy

Extraction of lower canine teeth – the roots of these teeth make up about 70% of the front of the jaw, and so there is a potential risk of jaw fracture associated with their removal. Some dogs also use these teeth to keep the tongue in position, so the tongue may hang out after extraction. ‡

This is the term we use when we remove deciduous teeth to alter the development of a malocclusion. The most common form of this is when we relieve dental interlock that is restricting normal jaw development. Such intervention does not make the jaw grow faster, but will allow it to develop to its genetic potential by removing the mechanical obstruction.

Extraction of deciduous lower canines and incisors in a puppy with an overbite releases the dental interlock and gives the lower jaw the time to ‘catch up’ (if genetically possible).

As jaw growth is rapid in the first few months of life, it is critical to have any issues assessed and addressed as soon as they are noticed, to give the most time for any potential corrective growth to occur before the adult teeth erupt and dental interlock potentially redevelops. Ideally treatment is performed from eight weeks of age.

Extraction of deciduous teeth is not necessarily as easy as many people imagine. These teeth are very thin-walled and fragile, with long narrow roots extending deep into the jaw. The developing adult tooth bud is sitting right near the root, and can be easily damaged. High detail intraoral (dental) xrays can help us locate these tooth buds, so we can reduce the risk of permanent trauma to them. Under no circumstances should these teeth be snapped or clipped off as this is not only inhumane, but likely to cause serious infection and ongoing problems below the surface.

Sometimes a puppy may be missing one or more teeth. In the absence of trauma (which is usually apparent for other reasons!), there are a couple of things that may be going on.

Sometimes, the tooth will be in a favourable position but caught behind a small rim of jawbone – again early surgical intervention may be successful in relieving this obstruction. If the tooth is in an abnormal position or deformed, it may be unable to erupt even with timely surgery.

Impacted or embedded teeth should be removed if they are unable to erupt with assistance. If left in the jaw, a dentigerous cyst may form around the tooth. These can be very destructive as they expand and destroy the jawbone and surrounding teeth. Occasionally these cysts may also undergo malignant transformation (ie develop into cancer).

Firstly, if there are two teeth in one socket (deciduous and adult), the surrounding gum cannot form a proper seal between these teeth, leaving a leaky pathway for oral bacteria to spread straight down the roots of the teeth into the jawbone. Trapping of plaque, food and debris between the teeth also promotes accelerated periodontal disease. This not only causes discomfort and puts the adult tooth at risk of early loss, but allows infection to enter the bloodstream and affect the rest of the body.

Puppies play rough, chew whatever they can get hold of, and have tiny teeth with very thin walls. Therefore fractures will sometimes occur. A common misconception is that broken deciduous teeth can be left until they fall out. Unfortunately this is NOT true. From the puppy’s point of view, broken teeth HURT, just as they do in children. Anyone who has had a bad toothache would agree that even a few weeks is a long time to wait for relief!

Broken teeth also become infected, with bacteria from the mouth gaining free passage through the exposed pulp chamber inside the tooth, deep into the underlying jawbone. This is not only painful, but can lead to irreversible damage to the developing adult tooth bud, which may range from defects in the enamel (discoloured patches on the tooth) through to arrested development and inability to erupt. The infection can also spread through the bloodstream to the rest of the body. Waiting for the teeth to fall out is NOT a good option!