What is Malocclusion of Teeth?
When a dog's teeth do not properly align, misaligned teeth (malocclusion) could result in a dog choosing only to eat certain types of food (usually bigger chunks and ditching smaller portions altogether), discomfort, the inability to close its mouth, a noticeable overbite or an abnormal jaw growth. While puppy teeth (deciduous) are commonly linked to the reason for oral complications, there are other reasons, too.
A puppy, designated as such if it’s less than six months old, will have 28 baby teeth. When it reaches adulthood, the same canine will lose all of the “milk teeth” and have 42 adult teeth. Misalignment occurs when the puppy’s baby teeth set incorrectly and when the adult teeth follow and worsen the problem due to size and a hereditary link.
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Symptoms of Malocclusion of Teeth in Dogs
Sometimes called salmon jaw, two of the signs of a dog with teeth misalignment are either an overbite or a protruding lower jaw. The dog may also not be able to close its mouth or appear to always have the slightly open mouth of a fish.
Dogs with upper jaws that protrude over the lower jaw may take on the appearance of a parrot with the beak.
Other symptoms of a misaligned jaw include:
- Food regularly falling from its mouth while chewing
- Mixed dentition (puppy and adult teeth connected together or adult teeth not growing in)
Types
At approximately 10 months, a dog should have its full set of adult teeth. The ideal dog's teeth look like scissors once they've properly grown in, into a zigzag line.
There are several different types of malocclusion that may be diagnosed by the veterinarian; these include:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Level bite
- Open bite
- Anterior crossbite
- Posterior crossbite
- Wry mouth or bite
- Base narrow canines
As mentioned above, a dogs bite will set at 10 months old. At this point, there is no chance that the improvement of malocclusions, such as an overbite or underbite, will happen on its own. Unbeknownst to some pet parents, there is a chance that your pets misalignment can worsen on its own. This is correlated to the fact that the permanent teeth are much larger than the baby, puppy, or “milk teeth.” When this happens your veterinarian will most likely suggest teeth extractions to make room for the incoming or already set teeth.
Causes of Malocclusion of Teeth in Dogs
For some animals, the misalignment makes no difference and treatment is not required, especially if the teeth misalignment appears to be hereditary. For other animals that have misaligned teeth due to remaining deciduous teeth that just won't fall out, this is commonly why an overbite or jaw misalignment is usually a possibility. Tartar buildup and plaque from not brushing teeth may also lead to oral diseases and possible alignment problems.
Diagnosis of Malocclusion of Teeth in Dogs
Opting out of dental radiographs (X-rays) can lead pet owners to miss approximately 75 percent of dog health issues, including oral diseases.
For teeth misalignment, the X-ray will confirm the state of teeth cleaning and possible remaining deciduous teeth. The X-ray will also be used to look for any signs of pus cavities under teeth due to oral infections, foreign objects, cysts, tumors and whether it's safe to assume that the misalignment is hereditary or not. While some cases may be more obvious than others, two-thirds of a dog's teeth are under the gums so they may not be viewable from first glance to a pet owner or even veterinarians.
Potential jaw fractures and signs of temporomandibular joints (TMJ) will also be looked at, the latter of which may also make it difficult for a dog to chew its food correctly or even open its mouth without experiencing pain.
Treatment of Malocclusion of Teeth in Dogs
For dogs that have teeth misalignment but can bite, chew and swallow without any problems, there may be no need for treatment. In dogs that experience the teeth or jaw alignment due to genetics, not much can be done to "correct" it outside of neutering or spaying the animal so future puppies will not have the same problem.
However, for dogs that experience pain, the first resolution will more often than not be to remove deciduous teeth, which are notoriously linked to oral discomfort and diseases in dogs past the age of 10 months. Veterinarians will encourage pet owners to pay special attention to the pattern of their dog's teeth during the puppy stages to avoid long-lasting issues.
If a dog is experiencing unusual behavior (heavy gulping, salivation and constantly rubbing at its own face), it's in pain or, at least, irritated. If foreign objects are the cause, those will be removed immediately once an X-ray identifies it.
Braces may be necessary to save good teeth from being extracted unnecessarily, especially if missing teeth are leading to other oral complications. The size of the braces will heavily depend on the shape and the size of the dog’s mouth and face.
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Recovery of Malocclusion of Teeth in Dogs
Dogs who wear braces may first have to get used to chewing differently and not being able to eat hard, dry dog food. The dog will also have to give up any hard chewing toys, or it may risk a tooth fracture or braces coming out of alignment. Dog braces are worn for approximately six months to one year, but in extreme cases, it may take as long as two years to correct the teeth misalignment issues.
Dogs should recover from tooth extraction within a few weeks, but four- to six-week checkups are recommended at least two to four times a year, in addition to regular cleaning to make sure the dog's teeth continue to be healthy.
Malocclusion of Teeth Average Cost
From 40 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
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Malocclusion of Teeth Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
bambam
21 Weeks
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hi there. my dog fracture/broke his mandibular. ive been treating it myself due to lack of money, he seem to be doing fine, but his mandibular alignment is out, is there a cost effective way to correct the alignment (could i make a strap of some sorts?)
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
While I am sympathetic to your financial situation, I recommend that you visit your Veterinarian to assess the extent of the fracture as well as any healing that has occurred to date. It is possible that Bambam may require wiring (and / or pinning) of his jaw to realign the fracture; without an x-ray it isn’t possible to see the full extent of the damage caused. Whilst the fracture seems to be healing well for now (apart from the alignment); it may cause health problems later in life which may lead to an overall more expensive outcome. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Omg who on earth would keep a dog with such a fracture without seeking an x ray and help if needed to correct the fracture regardless of cost as vet to work out cost and set up a payment plan if they would insurance though costly woyld have paid for this if you had full cover. Ii feel sure someone be it a vet or welfare or charity will help with medical costs do you not have a charity tbat if you are poor will cover some or all costs?? If you cant get help and can not afford vets bill you will need to face this faxt and hand over the dog to rescue you can not let the dog be in pain, and remember they will hide painnatural protection in wild. If you can afford even a payment plan with a vet tgen if you truely care and love your dog don't keep doing this its a serioys issue which you may be breaking tge law by not having your dog to a vet, but if i am honest hee sounds like you can not afford to keep a dog other than feding you are responsable for all issues it may need or face no matter how much the cost if you can't meet these needs ou realky should not have one. I am not being cinical just pointing out the obvious i gave too many pets dogs cats horses to insure all but i have an account when if ever i get big bilks and capital is low i can pay off each week or month it took a build up of trust because many had treatment were left to pay but never paid 1 penny hence fees are to be paid on the day some even want payment up front. I cant blame them i payoff all bilks as quickly as i can be it on tge day wheni get tge bill or over as short a period as i can my vet never charges me intrest and if i had no account i would set up eitger a deposit account to put cash in for vets fees or even as if i could do so with vet so when or if needed i would be in credit to cover or at least help pay fees
Nov. 6, 2017
Anne B.
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Coton de Tulear
Nimbus
7 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
I have a 7 month old Coton de Tulear who was severely injured when he was 4 months old by another of our dogs. He had a jaw fracture right behind the mandibular canines, which at that point had not erupted yet. The doctors operated on him and sutured his gums together. Now his fracture is completely healed but the two mandibular canine are showing signs of malocclusion. In his last examine, the doctor said he is experiencing pain and I should get the procedure done asap. They recommended extraction of both deciduous teeth or a crown reduction. When I examine my dog, I can see one of the canine teeth just barely touch the roof of his mouth and the other barely touching the base of the maxillary canine. He also doesn't exhibit symptoms of pain. Although, he is a picking eater and has a very calm temperament, so I can't tell at the moment if he is in discomfort. I really don't want him to go through another procedure if it's not necessary. On top of that, I don't have the money to do another procedure. Would it be wise to wait a little longer and see how his jaws fully develop or should I consider doing it now?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Your Veterinarian has mentioned that the malocclusion is causing Nimbus pain which may tie in to your comment about him being a picky eater; his eating habits may be based around his discomfort whilst eating. Given the location of the law fracture three months ago I would recommend surgery to remove the teeth (or perform a crown reduction) based on the Veterinarian commenting on pain and Nimbus’s eating habits to prevent possible problems during oral development and to ensure that he has no discomfort whilst eating (or chewing toys etc…). The comment I have written is based on the information you have provided since I haven’t examined Nimbus myself. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
I have a 3 mo old Teddy Bear.
His underbite is awful and he doesn't seem to be able to pick up his food to eat.
He chews and swallows fine.
I hand feed him a few pieces at a time,
July 26, 2017
Denise G.
I have a three month old baby pittbull, she has a overbite and I have been noticing her teeth at the bottom are making little holes at the roof of her mouth. This is very scary I don't want her in pain or anything, I have never had a dog with this problem or know anyone that has delt within this. what can I do to help my puppy ?
July 26, 2017
Jamaicia J.
My puppy has a over bite and has her bottom teeth making little holes at the top of her mouth what can I do ?
July 26, 2017
Jamaicia J.
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Malocclusion of Teeth Average Cost
From 40 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
$850
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
