overshot jaw dog supplier

An overbite might not seem like a serious condition for your dog, but severely misaligned teeth can lead to difficulty eating, gum injuries and bruising, bad breath and different types of dental problems, including tooth decay and gingivitis. Fortunately, there are ways to help fix the problem before it becomes irreversible.

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.

This problem is especially common in breeds with narrow, pointed muzzles, such as collies, shelties, dachshunds, German shepherds, Russian wolfhounds and any crossbred dogs that include these ancestries.

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 an overbite is more severe, dental intervention may be necessary to correct the misalignment. While this is not necessary for cosmetic reasons – a small overbite may look unsightly, but does not affect the dog and invasive corrective procedures would be more stressful than beneficial – in severe cases, a veterinarian may recommend intervention. There are spacers, braces and other orthodontic accessories that can be applied to a dog"s teeth to help correct an overbite. Because dogs" mouths grow more quickly than humans, these accessories may only be needed for a few weeks or months, though in extreme cases they may be necessary for up to two years.

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.

An overbite might be disconcerting for both you and your dog, but with proper care and treatment, it can be minimized or completely corrected and your dog"s dental health will be preserved.

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.

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.

We advise you email us images of the teeth (mouth closed, lips up and side on for both left and right) just a few days before you travel. Things change quickly in growing dogs and it might save you a wasted journey.

Secondly, the growth of the mandible is rostral from the junction of the vertical and horizontal ramus. If the lower canines are embedded in pits in the hard palate, the normal rostral growth of the mandible(s) cannot take place normally due to the dental interlock caused by the lower canines being embedded in hard palate pits. This can cause deviation of the skull laterally or ventral bowing of the mandibles (lower jaws).

Thirdly, the permanent lower canine is located lingual to the deciduous canine. This means that if the deciduous lower canines are in a poor position it is a certainty the permanent teeth will be worse. See the radiograph below. The deciduous canines are on the outside of the jaws and the developing permanent canines are seen in the jaw as small "hats". It is clear that the eruption path of the permanent canines will be directly dorsal and not buccally inclined as is normal.

The permanent successor tooth is located lingual to the deciduous tooth and wholly within the jaw at this stage. Any use of luxators or elevators on the lingual half of the deciduous tooth will cause permanent damage to the developing enamel of the permanent tooth. See the images below showing canines (and also the third incisor) with extensive damage to the enamel. The radiograph also shows how much damage can occur to the teeth - see the top canine and adjacent incisor. Some severely damaged teeth need to be extracted while other can be repaired with a bonded composite. This damage is avoidable with careful technique using an open surgical approach.

Do not try ball therapy with deciduous (puppy) teeth. There are two main reasons for this. Puppy teeth are fragile and can easily break. More importantly, the adult canine tooth bud is developing in the jaw medial to the deciduous canine tooth (see radiograph above in the puppy section). If the deciduous crown tips outwards the root will tip inwards. This will push the permanent tooth bud further medial than it already is.

These permanent teeth can theoretically be treated by three options. Not all options are available to all cases. These options are described below and are either surgical removal of the lower canines teeth (and possibly incisors also), crown amputation and partial pulpectomy or orthodontics via an inclined bite plane bonded to the upper canines and incisors. The latter option may not be available to all dogs if the diastema (space) between the upper third incisor and canine is too small for the lower canines to move into or if the lower canines are located behind (palatal) to the upper canines.

This is a very delicate procedure and carries very high success rate (in our hands) since the availability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). We have used it as the material of choice since 2005. The previous agent (calcium hydroxide) was much more caustic and tended to "burn" the pulp. The success rate of MTA treated cases is quoted as 92% in a seminal ten year study based in vet dental clinics in Finland. This compares with 67% when caclium hydroxide was previously the agent. Luotonen N et al, JAVMA, Vol 244, No. 4, February 15, 2014 Vital pulp therapy in dogs: 190 cases (2001–2011).

The intention of the procedure is to keep the pulp alive and allow the shortened lower canines to develop normally and contribute to the strength of the lower jaws.

The advantage of this procedure is that the whole of the root and the majority of the crown remain. The strength and integrity of the lower jaw is not weakened by the procedure and long term results are very good due to the use of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate as a direct pulp dressing.

However, many owners are concerned (rightly) about the loss of the tooth and the weakness it may cause to the lower jaw(s). It is not our preferred option. This is not an easy surgical extraction and the resulting loss of the root causes a weakness in the lower jaws. This is compounded if both lower canines are removed.

In some mild cases of lingual displacement we may be able to use crown extensions for a few weeks. For this treatment we bond composite resin extensions on the lower canines to increase the crown length by around 30%. This allows the lower canines to occupy the correct position and also provides more leverage to tip the crown tips buccally. The crown extensions remain in place for around 2 months and are then removed and the tooth surface smoothed and treated. The major downside is that if the dog damages or breaks them off, you need to return here for repairs. Sticks and other hard objects can easily cause damage and some toys also have to be withdrawn for the treatment period.

Normally a composite resin bite plane is bonded onto the upper teeth (see below) with an incline cut into the sides. The lower canine makes contact with the incline when the mouth closes and, over time, the force tips the tooth buccally. This takes around four to eight weeks. The lower canine will often migrate back into a lingually displaced position when the bite plane is removed. This can occur if the tooth height of the lower canine is too short (stunted). If the lower canine is not self-retained by the upper jaw when the mouth is shut further surgery may be required.

Not all dogs or owners are suited to this. Bite planes can become dislodged if the dog bites a stick or other hard object. Bite planes also need cleaned and adjusted from time to time under sedation or anaesthesia. All of this means more travel and expense for you and more anaesthesia for your pet. It is our view that if a treatment has uncertain outcomes built in it should probably not be used.

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.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that dental problems don’t need the same treatment in animals as they do in humans. Nothing could be further from the truth! Dogs’ teeth have the same type of nerve supply in their teeth as we do, so anything that hurts us will hurt them as well.

All dogs, whether they are performance dogs or pets, deserve to have a healthy, pain-free mouth. Oral and dental issues frequently go undiagnosed in dogs, partly because the disease is hidden deep inside the mouth, and partly because dogs are so adept at hiding any signs of pain. As a pack animal, they don’t want to let the rest of the pack (including us!) know they have a problem, as anything that limits their usefulness to the pack may be grounds for exclusion. This is a survival instinct. Dogs will suffer in silence for as long as they can, and they only stop eating when they cannot bear the pain any longer.

This article has been written to help you understand how oral and dental problems develop in puppies, what the implications of these issues are, and what options are available to you and your pup to achieve the best outcomes in terms of overall health, comfort and performance. You don’t need to read it from top to bottom, as your dog would need to be pretty unlucky to need all the advice included here!

If you would like to speak to me for advice on your dog, please feel very welcome to call me on 1300 838 336, or you can email me on support@ sydneypetdentistry.com.au.

baby) teeth which erupt between 3-8 weeks of age. These are replaced by the adult (permanent) teeth between 4-7 months of age. Adult dogs should have a total of 42 teeth. The difference in the number of deciduous and adult teeth arises because some adult teeth (the molars and first premolars) don’t have a deciduous version.

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.

The bulk of the tooth is made up of dentine (or dentin), a hard bony-like material with tiny dentinal tubules (pores) running from the inside to the outside. In puppies, the dentine is relatively thin, making the tooth more fragile than in an older dog. The dentine thickens as the tooth matures throughout life.

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.

Crowded upper incisor teeth in an English Bulldog, with trapping of food and debris. There is an extra incisor present which is exacerbating the problem.

‘Base narrow’ canines (Linguoverted or ‘inverted’ canines) are a relatively common and painful problem in Australian dogs. The lower canines erupt more vertically or ‘straight’ than normal (instead of being tilted outwards), and strike the roof of the mouth. This causes pain whenever the dog chews or closes its mouth, and can result in deep punctures through the palatal tissues (sometimes the teeth even penetrate into the nasal cavity!). In our practice in Sydney, we see this most commonly in Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Labrador Retrievers.

Lance’ canines (Mesioverted, hard  or ‘spear’ canines) occur when an upper canine erupts so it is pointing forward, like a tusk. This is seen most commonly in Shetland Sheepdogs, and can lead to lip trauma and displacement of the lower canine tooth (which cannot erupt to sit in its normal position in front of the upper canine).

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.

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.

The basic rule is that every dog deserves a pain-free, functional mouth. If there is damage occurring to teeth, or oral tissues, we need to alleviate this, to allow the dog to live happily and healthily. If there is no functional problem and no trauma occurring, then treatment is simply not required.

Sometimes the hardest part is determining whether the problem is in fact causing pain. As we know, dogs are very adept at masking signs of oral pain, and will and will continue to eat despite real pain. Puppies, in particular, don’t know any better if they have had pain since their teeth first erupted very early in life.

The overriding aim is always to give the dog a healthy, pain-free and functional mouth. Sometimes this will result in a ‘normal’ mouth, whereas in other cases, this might not be realistically achievable.

While some basic advantages and disadvantages of the different treatment options are outlined here, it is very important to seek specific advice for your individual dog, as no two mouths are exactly the same, and an individual bite assessment will help us determine the best course of action together. You can contact us anytime.

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. ‡

Crown reduction is commonly performed to treat base narrow canines, or class II malocclusions, where the lower canines are puncturing the hard palate. Part of the tooth is surgically amputated, a dressing inside the tooth to promote healing and the tooth is sealed with a white filling (just like the ones human dentists use). This procedure MUST be performed under controlled conditions as it exposes the highly sensitive pulp tissue. If performed incorrectly, the pulp will become infected and extremely painful for the rest of the dog’s life.

While the dog may lose some function, this is far preferable to doing nothing (this condemns the dog to a life of pain). Indeed, unless released into the wild, dogs do well even if we need to extract major teeth (canines and carnassials), as they have the humans in their pack to do all the hunting and protecting for them.

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.

The aim of any veterinary procedure should always be to improve the welfare of the patient, so the invasiveness of any treatment needs to be weighed up against the likely benefits to the dog. Every animal deserves a functional, comfortable bite, but not necessarily a perfect one. Indeed, some malocclusions (particularly those involving skeletal abnormalities) can be difficult to correct entirely.

In addition to the welfare of the individual dog, both veterinarians and breeders need to consider the overall genetic health of the breed. Both the Australian National Kennel Club and (in New South Wales where our practice is situated) the Veterinary Practitioners’ Board stress that alteration of animals to conceal genetic defects for the purpose of improving their value for showing (and breeding) is not ethical.

The bottom line is that, while all dogs will have multiple treatment options available, and in some cases the occlusion can be corrected to the point of being ‘good for show’, advice should definitely be sought about the likelihood of a genetic component prior to embarking upon this, as the consequences for the breed can be devastating if such animals (or their close relatives) become popular sires or dams.

Sometimes a tooth is congenitally missing, that is it has never developed. While dogs can physically cope well with missing teeth, in some breeds this is considered a serious fault, and will severely affect the chances of the dog being successful in the show ring.

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.

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!

We cannot rely on dogs to tell us when they have oral pain. It is up to us to be vigilant and watch for signs of developing problems. Train your pup to allow handling and examination of the mouth from an early age. We will be posting some videos of oral examination tips shortly, watch out in your email inbox for this. Things can change quickly – check their teeth and bite formation frequently as they grow.

Remember, early recognition and treatment is crucial if we want to keep your dog happy and healthy in and out of the show ring. The sooner we treat dental problems, the higher the chance of getting the best possible results with the least invasive treatment.

Did you know that more than half AKC breed standards allow other than a scissors bite?It’s not just aesthetics we are worried about-- malformed dentition and distorted skull shapes have a profound effect on posture and balance.Some simple interventions can go a long way to helping your dogs have a better bite.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes.From the biological standpoint, the domestic canine shows more variation than almost any other species: body size, body shape, hair type, hair color, and head shape.Since ancient times, humans have selectively bred dogs to serve our needs with their particular talents-- like herding sheep, or hunting rats, or protecting our homes-- resulting in the glorious diversity that is the AKC array of breeds.All wild canids, by contrast, look remarkably similar: medium size, medium length hair coat, long bushy tail and cone shaped skull and nose.But, did you know that without selective breeding, colonies of feral domestic dogs will, in a few generations, revert to the same look as wild dogs?

Skull shape is one of the most biologically important variations in the dog, because changing the “default” cone-shaped head will change the size and shape of the brain case, the eyes, nose, teeth and airway.There are some health risks that are suspected to have associations with the size and shape of the dog’s head. Researchers are currently trying to understand the causes of Syringomyelia (SM), a common spinal cord abnormality in small breed dogs. It is believed that genetic factors contribute to the disease.

In a very broad sense, we have three basic skull types in domestic breeds: long nosed (dolichocephalic), short-nosed (brachiocephalic) and medium (mesocephalic).The dolichocephalic breeds, like Greyhounds and Borzois, tend to have very narrow skulls, and may have problems with eye formation, overbites and not enough room for their incisor teeth to fit properly.Brachiocephalic breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs, have underbites, which are even more exaggerated in some versions of these breeds.When the shape of the skull is distorted, the space into which the teeth erupt can be distorted as well.This results in crooked teeth, that don’t fit together properly, or “malocclusions.”

Why do dog breeders care about bite?Because well-bred, truly functional dogs have good bites! A good bite is associated with good posture and good gaiting, because the teeth and temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are giving critical postural information to the brain.A good bite results in neutral TMJs, which allow neutral posture.Try this exercise: Stand on level ground with easy neutral stance, arms at your sides.Feel how your weight is centered between your feet.Thrust your lower jaw forward as far as you can voluntarily, creating an underbite.Wait, and feel the postural changes.Now pull the jaw back as far as you can.Most people will feel their bodies pitch forward and back with the movement of the jaw.You can experiment with side to side as well, and feel your weight shift from foot to foot.This is a cool “party trick,” but it actually shows something very profound: jaw position helps determine weight-bearing, because the top priority of the nervous system is to keep the brain safe by making sure the nearby TM joints are symmetrically stimulated, indicating that the head is level and symmetrically supported.When a dog has a congenital or genetic malocclusion, the rest of the body may have an adapted posture-- which may make them susceptible to some weight-bearing injuries over time.

What about dental anomalies outside the brachiocephalic/dolichocephalic pattern?While orthodontic procedures can help some adult dogs become more functional, it is considered unethical to use these techniques on a potential breeding animal.But some dental problems are from juvenile injury, and can be helped with early intervention.It is critically important to evaluate the baby teeth at six weeks, because missing teeth and non-symmetrical jaw growth can be most easily influenced in the fast growing young dog.Why should we do this?Cutting edge research in epigenetics shows that life experience influences gene expression in a heritable way. And it will improve a dog’s quality of life, and athletic performance to have a functional bite.A truly functional bite is self-cleaning, requiring less dental intervention.And it will help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems secondary to postural abnormalities, like hip dysfunction, ACL tears, arthritis, and disc disease.

In this four part series, we have explored a variety of causes for common postural problems in domestic dogs.This has been a tiny peek into the amazing world of posture, of which every dog owner, dog breeder and veterinarian should be aware.Postural Rehabilitation training for veterinarians teaches how to recognize and solve postural problems that may be complicating health or performance issues.

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.

If a dog has a level bite when it is young, the teeth will probably wear down to the gum as the dog ages, effectively having only stumps of teeth left as an old dog. This can cause problems. The reason why a normal scissor bite is preferable to a level bite is shown by the accompanying picture. Here is a 12-year-old Airedale who had a perfect scissor bite when she was young. But the teeth have now worn down to a useful level bite. But she still has a significant set of teeth remaining, despite her age.

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.

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.

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.

Generally, a Bullmastiff’s puppy’s bottom jaw will continue to grow until approximately nine months old. The top jaw is also in transition and growing during this period. The bite can go either way, from level to undershot or from scissors to overbite, or from scissors to level bite. Mature bite ranges can be overshot to grossly undershot. It is a general observation in some breeds that a puppy which starts off with an overbite, even if it corrects later on, can have a higher incidence of producing more puppies with overbites. Bullmastiff puppies with undershot bites almost never correct themselves.

Abnormal bites vary in levels of severity. Some lines appear to have a higher incidence of bite faults than others, and some lines or individuals do produce more incorrect bites than breed averages, leading to a general familial inheritance pattern. Some researchers have suggested that the shortening of the muzzle and lower jaw might be responsible for incorrect bites and missing teeth in shorter-muzzled breeds such as Bullmastiffs, although I’ve never found missing teeth a problem. It has been noted that dogs with undershot bites can have parents with scissors bites, suggesting that the trait is recessive. After more than 40 years of breeding Bullmastiffs, however, I have found inheritance of bites to be totally random at times, with undershot bites and narrow underjaws producing wide underjaws and perfect bites; and, conversely, beautiful bites producing bad ones.

Upper- and lower-jaw structures appear to be independently inherited traits, and even the size of the incisors may play a role in occlusion. Trapped puppy teeth should be removed, as they can cause an incorrect misaligned bite. Abnormal size and overly vertical incisors can also create an incorrect bite.

The ABA Bullmastiff Illustrated Standard suggests that there is no reason to penalize a dog that has a reverse scissors or slightly undershot bite. Because of its Bulldog background, however, the Bullmastiff with a reasonable amount of space between the upper and lower canines should only be penalized to the degree of the deviation. Wry mouth, which is a deformity, is unacceptable in Bullmastiffs as in any breed.

Large, wide set canines in the Bullmastiff are desirable and give the dog a greater holding ability, and a wider, very desirable broad underjaw. The teeth should be large and strong, with the canine teeth wide apart, and the six small teeth in front, between the canines, in an even, level row. Narrow underjaws and curved-patterned  incisors are very undesirable, as is the reversion to the Bulldog type of bite. The two jaw bones should terminate in a normal perpendicular level in the front, and the lower jaw should not protrude beyond the upper jaw, nor bend slightly upward. The repandus (bent upward) part of the underjaw with the lower lip (sometimes called the chin) must never rise above the front of the upper lip.

In judging the Bullmastiff, I see varying degrees of bites, but mainly good bites with wide underjaws and straight teeth. Missing teeth and dropped incisors are not uncommon, especially in the older dog.  I have noticed over the years that the canine teeth have gotten smaller, which I do believe is something that should be addressed in breeding programs. Without the holding power of the canines, the dog could not hold as effectively as he might with those big canines. Years ago you never saw small canines, and it was impressive to see a Bullmastiff’s mouth with huge canines and level bites. The evolution of the breed to a less moderate and more “bully” appearance has led to the reversion to the more Bulldog type of bite, although the perfect bite can and should be accomplished with the best of heads.

As a breeder first, then as a judge, I have a great deal of tolerance for an imperfect bite, knowing that both the dog and bitch could do their job – as long as the bite is not wry or grossly undershot with canine teeth jutting out of the mouth. It is interesting to observe that even with a bad bite, a bitch can sever the umbilical cord, which is not done with incisors but the molars; and when a Bullmastiff jumps up and grabs your arm, he does it with his molars, not the incisors.

Does your dog have a toothy grin that pops out when they are relaxed? This could be an "underbite" which is fairly common among dogs. However, depending on the severity of the "grin" could have underlying health problems.

The way a dog"s teeth should line up together is called a "scissor bite".A dog who"s teeth don"t quite fit straightly together, and the bottom jaw"s teeth protrude further than the upper jaw has what is called an underbite, also known as Canine Malocclusion.

This is a feature most often seen in short muzzled dogs like pugs, terriers, cavaliers, shih-tzu, boxers and bulldogs, however any mix breed dog with a parent from a breed that is known to develop an underbite has a greater likelihood of inheriting an underbite.

In humans it is easy to see if we have developed an underbite. In dogs however it is a little harder to see from what is "normal" as a dogs jaw is different to our own. The way you can tell if your dog has an underbite is when they are most at rest and relaxed as their bottom teeth will poke out from under their lips.

If your dog has no issues with chewing solid foods, and they can move their jaw comfortably and bite well enough, then there is nothing to worry about. As noted earlier this is a fairly common trait in dog breeds with short muzzles and "flat faces".

Skeletal Malocclusion - this is seen in pedigrees usually in a short muzzled breed (but can also occur in long snouted breeds like sight hounds), where the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw due to a skull abnormality resulting in the two jaws not lining up properly.

However, any breed of dog can develop an underbite. This can occur when a pups baby teeth have fallen out and a new set start to develop at an angle. This is typically around the 10 month marker. For a dog who has breeds that typically develop an underbite, this should not affect the dog.

If a dog develops Dental Malocclusion there could be a few problems for the pup. Such as tooth-to-tooth-contact or tooth-to-gum-contact where there shouldn"t be. This is due to bad teeth alignment and can affect a dog"s normal mouth functions such as eating, chewing, cleaning and biting as this unwanted contact can cause a dog much distress.

This unusual teeth placement can cause unseen issues such as cuts to the dog"s lips, cheek tissues and may cause mouth ulcers, infections and tooth decay. A vet should notice any problems in a check up. They will then determine if further action is required.

The vast majority of skeletal malocclusion requires no treatment. This is also the same for dental malocclusion, it is only if it causes a sever risk to the dog - such as bad teeth formation or an underlying dental issues that cause the dog pain that further action should be taken. Your vet will be able to advise you if this is the case when your dog has a check up.

It has also been noted that some puppies that developed an underbite in their early years "grow" out of it as their face and jaw begin to take form as they develop into dogs. Although it varies from breed to breed, a dog"s facial alinement is often determined around 10 months of age.

These are costly treatments however and should only be taken forth if it has been prescribed by your vet. It may require outside treatment from a dog dental specialist or an animal orthodontist rather than your vet.

Yes, dogs can have underbites just like people can have them, but the snaggletoothed gaze of a dog with an underbite can certainly be endearing. Treating an underbite in a dog, though, can be vastly different than treating one in a person.

An underbite is a type of malocclusion. The prefix, "mal," comes from Latin and literally means "bad," so a malocclusion is a bad occlusion. In underbites, the lower jaw juts out too far, leading to misalignment of the bottom and top teeth when the mouth is closed. Dogs with an underbite may have a snaggletoothed appearance, with one or both lower canines visibly sticking out of their mouth. Underbites are also sometimes termed Type 3 Malocclusion in dogs because, unfortunately, it"s not the only type of malocclusion dogs can have. They can also have overbites (aka Type 2 Malocclusion) and cross-bites, just like people.

Underbites are almost always congenital in nature. This means that it"s present from birth. They are most commonly seen in brachycephalic breeds, such as Boxers, Boston terriers, Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Pugs, etc. In fact, underbites are so commonly seen in these breeds that they are considered to be their normal dentition In rare instances, facial trauma can also cause an underbite.

Regardless of whyyour dog has an underbite, it"s important to understand the repercussions a dog with an underbite may face. An underbite (or any dental malocclusion) can make a dog more prone to dental disease. If the upper teeth and lower teeth don"t line up like they"re supposed to, that can make some teeth more prone to tartar build up. It can also lead to more tooth-on-tooth wear and can also damage or irritate the gums, lips, or hard palate.

In people, an underbite is fixed by orthodontics and braces. Believe it or not, they make braces for dogs, too! However, they are used primarily under the supervision of a board certified veterinary dentist, not a general practitioner. Additionally, they aren"t used for cosmetic purposes as in people. Braces are used in dogs only when there is a medical problem warranting their use. Application of the braces and subsequent adjustment of the brackets will require general anesthesia and dental radiography. A more common approach is to remove teeth that are badly affected by the malocclusion or are causing pain due to digging into the gums or lips.

For most dogs with underbites, management of problems created by the malocclusion is the treatment of choice. Dogs that have underbites may require more at-home, preventative dental care. Chews and oral rinses certainly don"t hurt, but they are also not nearly as effective as brushing the teeth. If you have a dog with an underbite, training them to accept daily tooth brushing can be helpful. It"s important that you use veterinary specific toothpaste as human toothpaste usually contains fluoride, which can be harmful if swallowed. Additionally, most dogs don"t prefer the minty flavors of human toothpaste. Veterinary toothpaste comes in more dog-friendly flavors such as poultry and beef.

Eventually, though, even daily brushing may not be enough to stave off dental disease. If your dog has gingivitis, heavy tartar, and/or bad breath, your dog may need a dental cleaning. This is similar to when humans routine dental cleanings with ultrasonic scaling, followed by polishing the enamel smooth. The major difference being that dogs need to be put under anesthesia for safe, effective dental cleanings and in order to safely take dental radiographs.

If your dog has an infected or abscessed tooth, the most common treatment is to simply take out the tooth in question. Most dogs can do just fine without the infected tooth. However, those same veterinary dentists that can place braces when needed can also perform root canals to save infected and/or fractured teeth. The cost of this may be prohibitive in some cases, but it is a good option to look into to help maintain a healthy mouth.

Unfortunately, because the most common reason for an underbite to happen is congenital, it can be difficult to prevent one if you are looking for a breed of dog that is prone to them. As mentioned, this abnormality is considered to part of the breed standard for these snub nosed breeds because it"s a result of their signature "pushed-in" faces. A pug or bulldog isn"t a pug or bulldog without a smushed-looking face, and breeding its snout to be so short predisposes it to problems.

Underbites in dogs can put them at risk for future dental disease and may cause chronic pain or difficulty chewing. If your dog has an underbite and you"re worried about the health of its teeth, speak to your veterinarian.

This question, posed to me by a fellow passenger on my return flight from a veterinary conference, caused me to put my current task (subject-tagging images of dogs" and cats" mouths on my computer) on pause. I explained that in cats and dogs, the goal of orthodontic correction isn"t a pretty smile but pain-free, functional occlusion.

Occlusion refers to the relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when they approach each other, as occurs during chewing or rest. Normal occlusion exists when the maxillary incisors just overlap the mandibular incisors (Figure 1A), the mandibular canines are equidistant from the maxillary third incisors and the maxillary canine teeth, and the premolar crown tips of the lower jaw point between the spaces of the upper jaw teeth in a saw-toothed fashion (Figure 1B). Flat-faced breeds, such as boxers, shih tzus, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and Persian cats, have abnormal bites that are recognized as normal for their breed in which the mandibular jaw protrudes in front of the maxillary jaw, altering the above tooth-to-tooth relationship (Figures 2A and 2B).

Malocclusion refers to abnormal tooth alignment. Skeletal malocclusion occurs when jaw anomalies result in abnormal jaw alignment that causes the teeth to be out of normal orientation. Dental malposition occurs when jaw alignment is normal but one or more teeth are out of normal orientation.

Mandibular distoclusion (also called overbite, overjet, overshot, class 2, and mandibular brachygnathism) occurs when the lower jaw is shorter that the upper and there"s a space between the upper and lower incisors when the mouth is closed. The upper premolars will be displaced rostrally (toward the nose) compared with the lower premolars. Mandibular distoclusion is never normal in any breed (Figures 3A and 3B).

Figure 3B. A dog"s mandibular distocluson.Mandibular mesioclusion (also called underbite, undershot, reverse scissor bite, prognathism, and class 3) occurs when the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth. If the upper and lower incisor teeth meet each other edge to edge, the occlusion is an even or a level bite (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Mandibular mesioclusion in a dog.Maxillary mandibular asymmetry (also called wry bite, especially by breeders) is a skeletal malocclusion in which one side of the jaw grows differently from the other side (Figures 5A and 5B).