Malocclusion

A genetic dental malocclusion can be manifested in many ways. The ethics of veterinary dentistry dictate that we not correct a malocclusion in an intact animal that might be used for breeding or in a show animal. Our goal is to allow the patient to have a comfortable, functional bite. It may take many generations for a dental malocclusion to be expressed in any particular animal. Therefore, breeding programs should be re-assessed once malocclusion does occur. If breeders always breed to as close to an ideal occlusion as possible, it will take 5 generations to reduce the incidence of Class II or Class III (overshot or undershot) malocclusions to random chance occurence.

Persistent Primary Teeth

Persistent primary teeth may predispose to malocclusion since two teeth cannot occupy the space intended for one tooth. These teeth should be extracted carefully as soon as the adult teeth start to erupt. If the malocclusion is evident in the primary (deciduous, baby) dentition, the teeth may be causing an adverse dental interlock with the gingival mucosa or other teeth. This may prevent the jaws from growing to their full genetic potential. In that case, some of the primary teeth may need to be extracted at 8-12 weeks of age.

Base Narrow Canines: Malocclusion Class I or II

This is a genetic malocclusion. There are three options for treatment: 1) extraction of the lower canine teeth; 2) crown shortening to prevent occlusal trauma and vital pulp therapy to seal the root canals; 3) orthodontic movement into a functional and comfortable bite.

Extraction of the teeth "solves" the problem, but may allow the tongue to fall out of the mouth and the pet will not have the function of the lower canine teeth to grasp food or toys. Crown shortening allows some function of the teeth; I will need to follow the health of the teeth with dental X-rays periodically. It is possible that root canal treatment may be necessary in the future based upon the dental X-rays. There is no way to know, until we try, whether the orthodontic movement will be successful or partially successful.

Due to the genetic nature of the condition, the pet should not be bred.

A study reported in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry by Leen Verhaert (JVD 16:2, June 1999, pp 69-75) showed that offering the dog a hollow rubber or plastic ball that fits just inside the canine teeth may encourage the dog to chew and hopefully force the lower canines labially (outward). I suggest a rubber Kong toy, stuffed with food, to encourage the pet to chew. The ball or Kong should be offered a minimum of three times daily for 15 minutes.