Correct and incorrect dental bite in dogs - underbite in a puppy photo

A dog's teeth are of particular importance. It is snow-white, healthy and strong fangs that are the key to a dog’s excellent appetite, ideal digestion, and, as a result, excellent health. Direct bite in dogs is also of unconditional importance - it is this sign of health that will be discussed in the article. We will find out how important it is for a dog to form a correct bite, learn the main types of bites, and figure out how to correct improper jaw closure.

Correct bite. Snack. Underbite.

Bite in dogs is the relationship between the dentition of the upper and lower jaw. The type of bite in a dog is determined by the nature of the closure of the dentition and can be of four types: scissor-shaped (“scissors”), straight (“pincers”), overshot, undershot. The bites listed above depend on the length and position of the jaws. In addition, the bite can change for various reasons, and be, for example, floating (a temporary phenomenon in puppies due to a soft, undeveloped jaw), skewed (improper tooth growth, trauma, congenital anomalies) or alveolar (improper inclination of the teeth) .

Chinese crested bite

The normal bite of a Chinese Crested dog is described by the standard as a scissor bite (or, as dog lovers call it, “scissors”). With this type of bite, the upper canines slightly cover the lower ones. In this case, the lower canines should enter the interdental space between the upper extreme incisor and the upper canine, but the surfaces of the teeth should not touch.

CORRECT BITE

DIRECT BITE

Straight bite in an adult dog

CHILDREN'S UNDERBITE

The bite should be formed by the age of 45-50 days (about 1.5 months) - at the time of activation of the puppy. Sometimes, however, there are puppies whose lower jaw seems to be slightly pushed back. This is the so-called “children’s underbite” or it is also called “deep bite”.

The reason for puppy underbite can be explained very simply - baby teeth are very small and take up relatively little space on the jaw. The gap that remains between the jaws, and which is so similar to an underbite, is free space for larger molars. As you grow, after changing teeth, this deficiency is corrected without any intervention.

Children's underbite, which will improve with age

UNDERBITE

Underbite is a pronounced gap between the incisors of the upper and lower jaw. Underbite is an unacceptable form of bite for the Chinese Crested. Such dogs should be excluded from breeding activities and sold without the right to participate in exhibitions and breeding.

A very severe underbite can cause the fangs of the lower jaw to injure the gums of the upper jaw. In this case, it is recommended to remove the lower canines and the dog can lead a normal life. Underbite no longer affects the dog's health in any way.

Since we are talking about underbite, dogs also have another form of overbite - compensated underbite. Compensated underbite is characterized by some shortening of the lower jaw in combination with an alveolar inclination of the incisors and canines. Thus, the lower jaw is significantly shorter than the upper jaw, but the incisors and canines on the lower jaw are located at such an angle that they come into contact with the upper teeth and form a tight scissor bite.

SNACK

An underbite is a form of bite in which the incisors of the lower jaw are located in front of the incisors of the upper jaw (the so-called “bulldog” or “bulldog jaw”). Overbiting is an unacceptable form of overbite for a Chinese Crested. Such dogs should be excluded from breeding activities and sold without the right to participate in exhibitions and breeding.

A very pronounced undershot can be noticeable when looking at the dog’s face - the lower jaw protrudes, the tongue or fang sticks out. In this case, you can remove the protruding teeth, or contact a veterinary dentist.

Very often, a puppy’s malocclusion can form when the owner allows the change of baby teeth to molars to happen. Due to impaired tooth growth, the puppy’s teeth change process incorrectly and an incorrect bite is formed. For example, a primary canine does not allow the molar to grow properly, which causes the molar to move the incisors. Read the article - Changing baby teeth in a puppy.

How to independently determine whether it is good or not. Who can check

Usually, an incorrect bite is immediately visible because it can negatively affect a person’s face. If you have at least one friend or acquaintance with incorrectly positioned teeth, you know that such people often have difficulty speaking or biting food, and they develop a variety of speech defects. But, alas, only obvious violations are obvious to the average person.

It is important to understand that a correct bite is a complex of characteristics of your dentition. Even if you have a nice smile and your front teeth are nice and neat, there is no guarantee that everything is actually perfect. Meanwhile, this is fraught: miss one problem, and it will lead to large expenses for the treatment of damaged teeth.

You can imagine what a correct bite should be like in an adult or child, but only an experienced doctor can make a diagnosis.

Prevention

Malocclusion is not always a congenital genetic feature. In most cases, simple preventive measures will help avoid this defect. We will talk about these measures further.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the proper nutrition of your pet. It is important to ensure that his diet contains enough calcium, vitamin D3 and other important microelements. Dry food must be selected strictly according to the age category of the animal. If you feed your puppy natural food, take care of additional vitamin and mineral supplements.

Bring your dog to the veterinarian regularly. This issue should be given particular importance when baby teeth are replaced by molars. During this period, the bite is often disturbed due to captive baby teeth: therefore, if necessary, the latter are removed. Sometimes the dog's chewing of hard toys and objects can help the rapid loss of baby teeth.

If your puppy has started to develop an incorrect bite, a rubber ring installed by a veterinarian will help correct the situation at an early stage. It is only important not to let the situation take its course, and take measures to correct the problem as early as possible.

Attention : all preventive measures should be taken when the dog is still a puppy: the earlier, the better.

So, we have learned what a correct bite in dogs is, and how such a defect can be eliminated. As you can see, the incorrect position of the teeth has a negative impact not only on the dog’s appearance, but is also harmful to its health. Pay attention to the position of your pet’s teeth, and be sure to contact a competent veterinarian in a timely manner if there is a need to correct the bite.

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How to prevent the development of defects: feeding

In order not to encounter the problem of malocclusion in the future, the owners of the puppy immediately after purchasing it need to choose the most suitable and balanced diet for it. Ready-made pet food should be purchased of the highest quality. At the same time, you also need to ensure that the composition of the “pads” corresponds to the age of the pet. Dogs kept on natural food must be given special vitamin and mineral supplements in their diet. In this case, you should choose a specific type of such premix in accordance with the recommendations of the veterinarian.

Consequences of malocclusion in dogs

In each individual case, the need and expediency of correction must be determined by a veterinarian. If we start from the facts, then the wrong consequences of a malocclusion in a dog, indeed, often lead to injuries to the palate, tongue, gums and other dental problems. And poor-quality chewing of food unnecessarily loads the digestive system.

But sometimes a slight deviation does not prevent the animal from living a full life and does not cause harm. Then there is no need to correct the bite. In any case, such dogs no longer participate in exhibitions and are not used for breeding.

How does the deviation develop?

• Games that put a lot of stress on your teeth. This mistake is often made by owners of fighting breed dogs, for some reason believing that from early childhood the animal should carry bricks, rays in its teeth or hang from a stick.
• Impaired development of the jaw and teeth can be caused by poor nutrition, or rather, a lack of minerals in the diet.
• Jaw trauma sustained in childhood often leads to impaired bone formation and changes in bite.
• And, of course, heredity plays an important role.

A dog that has even minor pathologies is not allowed to breed.

Puppies are always born without teeth. The first baby tooth appears only after a few weeks. True, in just two to three months the deciduous row is fully formed and has 28 teeth. Almost immediately the change from dairy products to indigenous ones begins.

At the age of 7-8 months, the animal should have a fully formed dentition, which consists of 42 permanent teeth. But in some animals this amount may be less, then they speak of partial teeth (oligodontia). If there are more teeth, then polyodontia or polyodontia.

Symptoms

The list of characteristic signs is determined by the severity of the pathology. Thus, in the early stages, the only form of manifestation is the formation of small chips and cracks on the surface of the enamel, almost invisible to the naked eye. The cause of mechanical damage is the pressure of the elements of the lower row on the tissues of the palatal surface adjacent to the base of the upper teeth, as well as constant contact with the area of ​​the cutting edge, whereas in normal condition the load is distributed evenly.

Untimely contact with an orthodontist is often due to the absence of pronounced symptoms that could cause the patient significant physical inconvenience. Manifestations characteristic of the middle stage include:

• Intensive abrasion of enamel from the lingual side of the upper incisors and the frontal covering of the mandibular elements, caused by constant contact, and leading to an aggravation of sensitivity in problem segments.
• Changes in facial contour, reflected in a decrease in the height of the lower third, as well as associated problems with diction and food processing.
• Development of TMJ dysfunction. Accompanied by extraneous sounds, painful sensations, and limited mobility.
• A noticeable deviation in the position of the lips, leading to impaired closure.

A severe degree is characterized by the diagnosis of pronounced anomalies of the skeletal structure, including a combination of macrognathia and microgenia, disturbing the proportions of the face (“bird-shaped”). The incisors constantly injure the palate, which causes chronic tissue inflammation, painful sensations when eating, as well as other negative consequences that require medical intervention.

Correct and incorrect bite in dogs

First, let's get acquainted with the norm. The small teeth that are located between the canines are called incisors. Fangs and incisors are used to capture food. Immediately following the canines are the premolars and molars, or molars. Their function is to chew.

The correct bite in dogs is scissor bite.

, is the standard for most breeds. When the jaws are closed, the lower incisors slightly extend beyond the upper ones, and the canines are in close contact with each other, while the lower canine should fit into the gap between the upper and the incisor. If we talk about malocclusion, there are several types:

1. Underbite – the lower jaw is underdeveloped or the upper jaw is overdeveloped, which is why the lower incisors do not touch the upper ones.
2. Overshot - the lower jaw is longer, and, accordingly, the lower incisors protrude forward. For some breeds, such as boxers, shih tzus, French and English bulldogs, this overbite is normal.
3. Direct bite (pincer-shaped) - when, when the jaws are closed, the surfaces of the teeth touch end-to-end. This leads to premature wear and early loss of teeth.
4. An open bite is when the mouth is closed and the teeth do not touch.
5. Crooked bite is considered a severe hereditary defect and appears when one side of the jaw develops faster. One of the lower canines is often displaced inward and causes damage to the upper palate.

When does a change of teeth occur in puppies of small dog breeds?

The first incisors of a Spitz appear on the 20th–30th day of life. By 2-3 months, all 28 milkweeds grow. First the fangs come out, then the incisors: there are 6 incisors on the upper jaw and 6 on the lower jaw. Molars appear later.

Also, puppies have a strong desire to chew almost everything they see. In this way he strives to eliminate painful sensations. You need to allow him to chew only permitted items, temporarily removing things and shoes that you want to keep. This will help with the teething process.

Puppy teeth begin to change between 12 and 14 weeks of age. First, the incisors are replaced and the molars erupt. Then, at 5-7 months, canines and premolars. Spitz molars appear at the age of about 4-7 months. But, it should be borne in mind that in small breeds, sometimes the baby teeth do not have time to fall out before the molars appear. In this case, it would be a good idea to show the animal to a veterinarian.

As the puppy gets older, his molars begin to push out his baby teeth. And most often they fall out while eating. Your pet may not even notice their loss, as he will unknowingly swallow them.

Complete replacement with molars and premolars occurs around 10-11 months. There are usually 42 of them: in the top row - 20, and in the bottom - 22 teeth.

Video. Showing Teeth - Puppy Training

Recently, more and more dog owners have been turning to the issue of dental pathology in dogs, since dental diseases in pets very often cause chronic damage to the stomach, intestines, skin, joints, kidneys, respiratory organs and even the heart. It is known that the state of an animal’s digestive system affects both the overall well-being of the animal and its economically useful qualities.

Malocclusion in dogs is one of the most common oral pathologies. It makes it difficult to both eat and chew food. In addition, incorrect location and shape of teeth injure the mucous membrane of the gums, cheeks, tongue and lips and can cause sinusitis. Dogs with malocclusions do not participate in exhibitions, and even successful correction of the bite in such animals does not allow them to take part in breeding work, because Any pathology of the jaws is often genetic in nature.

The reasons for the development of malocclusion can be:

Hereditary, genetic abnormalities; — developmental disorder; - games and training with improper load on growing teeth; - lack of minerals in the diet; - injuries; - untimely change of teeth; - discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaws, too large molars.

Orthodontics is a branch of veterinary dentistry that deals with the correction and prevention of malocclusions. At the moment, a veterinary dentist has a large number of devices for correcting bites in both puppies and adults. The sooner bite correction in dogs occurs, the easier and faster it is possible to achieve good results. With age, the compaction of the jaw bones leads to a significant slowdown in bone remodeling processes. Braces are special designs for straightening teeth and correcting bites.

Puppies are born completely toothless. At 3-4 weeks from birth, their baby teeth begin to erupt. The first to appear are the incisors (4 – 6 weeks), then the canines (3 – 5 weeks) and premolars (5 – 6 weeks). The total number of milk teeth is 28; after a change of teeth, the normal dental formula of a dog is already 42 teeth; moreover, these teeth differ not only in number, but also in size. They are much larger than their dairy predecessors. But sometimes some animals have incomplete teeth (oligodontia) or the presence of extra teeth (polyodontia, hyperdontia).

The replacement of baby teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth begins at the 4th month in the following order: from 3 to 5 months the incisors change, from 4 to 7 months the canines change. The first premolar first grows from the molars (at 4-6 months) and is not replaced (that is, it has no milk analogue), then three molars grow and also remain forever (5-7 months). Thus, by seven months the change of teeth should be completely completed.

In small decorative dog breeds, false polyodontia (non-loss of milk teeth, double row of teeth) is often observed. The main reasons for this phenomenon: - insufficient development of chewing muscles, - insufficient resorption of the roots of baby teeth, - reduction in the size of the jaws and gums with teeth practically unchanged in shape, - diet errors (soft and liquid food, lack of calcium in the diet).

BITE ANOMALIES

Prognathia (underbite) is the insufficient development of the lower jaw when its incisors do not reach the upper ones. There may be a gap between the upper and lower incisors when the mouth is closed. The upper premolars are displaced at least twenty-five percent anterior to the lower premolars. This malocclusion is not considered normal in any breed.

Progenia (overbite, bulldog bite, reverse scissor bite) occurs when the lower incisors protrude in front of the upper incisors. In some short-faced breeds (boxers, English and French bulldogs, Shih Tzu), this type of bite is considered normal. When the edges of the upper and lower incisors touch each other, the occlusion is called “direct bite.” Constant contact between the upper and lower incisors can cause uneven wear, periodontal disease, and early tooth loss. A straight bite is considered normal in some breeds, although it is actually a variant of progeny.

An anterior crossbite occurs when the canines and premolars on both sides meet normally, but one or more of the lower incisors are positioned in front of the upper incisors. This dental position may be caused by games of tug of war, retention of baby teeth, and is not considered a genetic or hereditary defect.

A crooked mouth, or crooked bite, occurs when one side of the jaw grows faster than the other. A crooked bite is a severe hereditary defect. Internal displacement of the canine teeth occurs when the lower canine teeth point inward and often cause damage to the upper palate. This position occurs either due to retained baby teeth or due to an excessively narrow lower jaw.

An open bite in dogs occurs when some of the incisors are spaced vertically apart and do not touch each other. In this case, the animal’s tongue often hangs out.

Unerupted teeth remaining in the jaw after the time of their eruption are called impacted. This can be confirmed after a clinical examination and x-rays of the jaws. Deep-lying teeth can remain in the jaw for a long time. If they do not put pressure on neighboring teeth, do not cause their resorption or migration, or cause pain, there is no point in attempting to erupt and place them in the dentition.

All types of devices for correcting bites can be divided into removable and non-removable (braces).

The latest advancement in veterinary orthodontics, clear, removable aligners (invisible braces) were originally developed for humans. Their main advantage for animals is a one-time anesthesia for the doctor to take accurate impressions of the jaw. The ability to remove the aligners during meals and for hygiene procedures is also a significant convenience of this new technique.

Invisible mouth guards, made of acrylic, fit closely to the dog's teeth and press them in the desired direction. Once every one or two weeks, the aligners are replaced with others that differ by 1-2 mm, thus gradually moving the teeth in the desired direction. The laboratory prepares a series of sequential impressions to move the teeth in small increments.

The dog should wear the mouth guard for as many hours a day as possible. Pet owners should wash and brush these removable acrylic braces with toothpaste every day. In veterinary practice, the use of removable acrylic braces is still very limited, due to the high cost of this technology. More often, modified removable braces in the form of a rubber ring are used, which gives good results in small puppies.

Fixed structures are fixed for the entire period of bite correction. In this case, the orthodontist periodically tightens the plates, adjusting the degree of inclination and rotation of the tooth being corrected. Thus, by changing the pressure on individual teeth and the dentition as a whole, it is possible to quickly correct the bite.

A brace (from English - bracket) is a complex orthodontic device consisting of clasps and wires. Locks or braces are fixed to the teeth using a special glue. The wire can be of different shapes and, depending on this, exerts different pressures to solve specific orthodontic problems. The wire can be changed. The thicker its diameter, the greater the pressure exerted on the molars.

The key to success when using braces is following the rules of caring for them, avoiding mechanical damage when playing, avoiding solid foods and bones. Contraindications for installing braces include allergies, periodontitis, neoplasms, and ulcerative stomatitis.

Effective management of orthodontic problems in dogs involves making the correct diagnosis, determining the optimal treatment method (with a minimum amount of anesthesia) and advising owners about the possibility of their animal participating in breeding.

Occlusion is the position of the lower incisors relative to the upper ones. Correct - the upper jaw extends 1-2 mm forward above the lower jaw. Malocclusion in dogs is when the lower jaw is longer or shorter, which means it comes forward or remains at a considerable distance behind.

Malocclusion can be a defect for some breeds, and be the norm for others.

There is no one general norm for all breeds. For different breeds of dogs, different positions of the front teeth are considered standard. Hence another position - that for one breed it is a defect, for another it is a standard. Animals with malocclusion are not allowed to develop the breed. The defect is transmitted genetically and can appear after several generations. This situation is dangerous for maintaining the purity of the breed.

Veterinarians name several points that affect the correct bite.

If we ignore genetics, malocclusion develops in childhood. The position of teeth in adult animals depends on care - food, load on the jaws and teeth. Dog handlers monitor the development of teeth and consult with veterinarians at the slightest irregularities.

Puppies are characterized by a floating jaw position. This is due to bone growth. At 1.5 months, the teeth are finally formed.

Jaw abnormalities are affected by:

• improper metabolism;
• untimely replacement of baby teeth;
• jaw box injuries;

It is impossible to detect malocclusion in a puppy that is not yet 4 months old.

Important! It is impossible to detect malocclusion in an animal under 4 months of age.

Metabolic disorders

Lack of calcium and vitamin D leads to problems with teeth and jawbone. A growing body must receive the amount of vitamins and microelements required for the breed. If this process is not controlled, and with it an incorrect bite, the pet is guaranteed to suffer.

Untimely replacement of baby teeth

Untimely replacement of baby teeth leads to the fact that permanent teeth begin to grow on top of children's teeth. This leads to deformation and incorrect position. At the same time, the jaw remains correct. The bite is disturbed, the teeth become crooked. To prevent this from happening, take care of your baby teeth. As soon as the gums become inflamed and there are prerequisites for the appearance of permanent teeth, the milk teeth are removed if they have not fallen out on their own by this time.

Jaw box injuries

This situation is typical for mobile and active puppies. Games and chewing brains lead to injuries. Babies require close supervision. , furniture, household utensils. This habit is harmful not only to the home, but also to the health of the animal. The dentition is damaged and the jaw is injured. The result is an incorrect bite.

An incorrect bite can form due to trauma to the jaw suffered by the puppy during the change of teeth.

This situation is not very common for adult dogs. They are more careful. The cause of injury in an adult animal can be a blow to the head or jaw with a blunt object. Depending on the force of the blow and the degree of injury, there may be consequences for the dog. In some cases, the veterinarian cannot help the animal.

Many owners play tug of war without calculating their strength. The puppy's fragile jaw and weak teeth are irreparably damaged during such fun. If the bite is disturbed by such entertainment, it is difficult to correct it.

Bite correction in dogs

What to do if you decide to cure your dog’s malocclusion? Veterinary orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in the prevention of bite pathologies and studies possible treatment methods. Some breeders say that the bite can be corrected through massage.

But let's face it, this is stupid. Neither a massage of the upper jaw nor a massage of the lower jaw in any way affects the position of the teeth, much less the development of the bone. Correcting the bite is the task of an orthodontist in veterinary practice; if an incorrect bite requires the intervention of a doctor, removable and non-removable systems are used. Fixed staples or braces, similar to those used in medical dentistry. Special locks are fixed on the enamel and connected with a tensioned wire, thus creating the necessary pressure on the tooth, which corrects its direction. During the entire period of wearing the system, the doctor, as necessary, changes the tension of the plates.

Ways to correct the situation

Malocclusion in dogs is treated by a veterinarian orthodontist. The most optimal age for correction is 5-12 months. At a later age, the jaws are fully formed, which significantly complicates their displacement in the desired direction.

Treatment methods for four-legged pets differ little from those for humans. For correction, special designs are used, divided into removable and non-removable.

Mouth guards

Mouthguards are transparent acrylic products. When worn, they put pressure on the teeth, changing the dog's bite in the desired direction. To achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to use the structure on an ongoing basis - with the exception of eating and cleaning the mouth.

Mouthguards are replaced every 2-3 months or more often, based on the rate of dentition displacement. Their only drawback is their high price. For this reason, some owners use a cheaper analogue - a rubber ring. Despite the similar principle of action, the rubber product applies too soft pressure and only helps puppies.

Braces

Braces are also used to achieve a scissor bite in dogs. Unlike aligners, they are not removed throughout the entire treatment.

Dog braces are made of steel or its alloy with nickel. They consist of pins connected to each other by metal wire.

The size of the product is selected individually for each pet. Ready-made braces are attached to the teeth with dental glue, adjusting the force of their pressure by tightening or loosening the wire.

Despite the possibility of free absorption of food, non-removable devices have some contraindications. Their installation is prohibited when:

• allergies to steel, nickel or glue;
• caries, stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis and other dental diseases;
• tumors and other neoplasms in the oral cavity.

When wearing braces, pay special attention to brushing your teeth. Due to the impossibility of removal, pieces of food quickly get stuck in the structure, attracting pathogenic microorganisms. For this reason, the frequency and duration of routine cleaning are increased.

Also, during treatment, it is recommended to avoid chewing bones and other hard objects that can lead to breakage of pins and wires.

Elimination methods

No matter the age of the animal, you cannot solve the problem yourself. The anomaly can be corrected before the animal reaches 5-12 months of age.

Important! Only a veterinarian will correctly decide how to correct the defect and determine the treatment method. The owner’s task is to strictly follow the specialist’s instructions.

For puppies, this may include increased nutrition with the inclusion of various vitamin supplements. There may be special massages and exercises to develop certain muscles and bones.

Dogs get braces. They come in 2 types. Removable – silicone. Installed on the incisors for constant, uniform pressure on the teeth. They are tightened as necessary.

Fixed - a system of pins or plates. As the teeth grow, it is tightened. For adults - surgery. In any case, the doctor decides what and how to do.

Before you decide to have your pet's teeth adjusted, you should decide how necessary it is.

Malocclusion as a source of health problems in dogs

Full health of a dog means the good condition of all its organs and systems, including teeth. Unfortunately, these friendly animals, which have served man faithfully for a long time, have not been spared many “human” diseases. One of them is an incorrect bite in a dog.

For breeding puppies or service breed dogs, this disease becomes a death sentence, excluding the right to serve or breed. In addition, this deficiency greatly affects the dog’s overall health.

What other defects are found?

Unfortunately, these are not the only jaw problems that are possible. There are other variants of pathologies.

You may encounter a problem such as jaw misalignment. In this case, it does not close smoothly and empty spaces form between the incisors. The condition often becomes the development of various diseases in the dog.

Another defect develops as a result of improper growth and placement of teeth. Sometimes the fangs may be located closer to the center, which will also affect the position of the jaws.

Owner actions

A responsible owner must understand that a corrected bite in a pet does not mean that no matter how good its exterior is, this representative can participate in breeding. A female or male will definitely pass this defect on to her offspring.

After getting braces, your dog needs to be treated daily so that food does not accumulate under the steel mechanism, irritating the gums. The mandatory cleaning ritual takes little time, the animal quickly gets used to it and the teeth remain healthy.

.

a special collar on him.

. The collar is not removed until the dog stops paying attention to the braces.

Dentures for dogs

A pathological bite in a dog, as already mentioned, easily leads to various types of dental problems in the pet. It is often impossible to correct this defect. In this case, dogs' teeth wear down very quickly. And so that the animal does not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, in this case it is possible to order prostheses for it.

The technology for performing a dental procedure is similar to the technique for installing crowns in humans. Such a procedure is, of course, expensive. But it also helps to maintain your pet’s health very effectively. Unlike people, dogs often have metal teeth inserted into them. After all, such crowns are cheaper than ceramic ones.

Currently, not all veterinary clinics provide dental installation services for dogs. But finding a specialist who has the skills to install crowns on animals in our time will not be difficult, including in Russia.

Consequences of malocclusion for a dog's health

The chewing apparatus is the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, disturbances in its structure inevitably affect the functioning of the digestive system:

• difficulty in eating and chewing food causes gastrointestinal disorders;
• severe malocclusion can cause oral injuries;
• loose jaw closure leads to constant drooling, which means the appearance of weeping eczema and dermatitis.

At the same time, if minor deviations from the norm do not worsen the quality of life of the animals, then correcting the bite in dogs may not be necessary.

In any case, the final decision on further actions must be made by a veterinarian orthodontist.

Types of bite

Let's consider what types of bites exist (from normal to pathological) and what evil can be expected from the incorrect arrangement of teeth.

The main functions of dog teeth are:

1. Capturing prey. It is carried out by fangs and incisors. Four fangs (2 on each jaw) have an elongated, slightly curved shape. Between them there are smaller incisors.
2. Chewing food. This task is performed by molars (premolars and molars). They are located at the back, behind the fangs.

Normal bite

Normal bite (orthognathia) is also called scissor bite. When the mouth is closed, the lower incisors should press closely against the back of the upper incisors. A scissor bite ensures normal chewing of food, protects the soft tissues of the oral cavity from traumatic disorders, and ensures normal retention of prey.

Purebred dogs that have deviations from this form of jaw closure are always mercilessly disqualified and not allowed for breeding. The reason for this strictness is that bite defects often begin to form as a result of genetic disorders. This pathology can be inherited.

Pathological bite

There are several options for pathological bite:

• A straight (pincer) bite is sometimes considered a normal variant. The incisors of the lower and upper jaws touch with their cutting edges. In this position, these teeth are subject to a large load for which they are not designed. The disadvantage of this bite is the rapid grinding of the incisors. The remaining teeth are not affected.
• Undershot (prognathia). A shortened lower jaw causes the incisors to not touch each other. Canines, premolars and molars take on the entire load, which leads to their rapid wear. Undershot is considered a disqualifying characteristic for all dog breeds without exception.
• Snack (progenia). The peculiarity of the structure of the muzzle is such that the lower jaw protrudes far forward, opening the incisors. Bulldogs and boxers have this skull structure. Therefore, for dogs of these breeds, snacking is not a defect.
• Asymmetrical bite. Formed when one side of the jaw is more developed than the other. May be a common cause of health problems. This is a disqualifying sign that applies to all breeds of dogs.
• Open bite. It is formed due to improper growth of the incisors, which do not close at all when the jaws are closed.

Causes of malocclusions

The most common cause of malocclusion, unfortunately, cannot be eliminated. This is a hereditary factor. The only way to prevent its spread to offspring is to deprive genetically inferior animals of permission to breed.

In addition, this pathology can also be acquired. It is most often caused by insufficient care of the puppy. There are several such factors:

1. Repeated heavy loads on the teeth of a young animal during active games of tug are very unhelpful for him. You need to carefully control the force with which the puppy pulls the coveted toy.
2. The consequences of trauma and damage to the jaws when chewing bones and hard objects often lead to malocclusion.
3. Violation of the timing of the loss of milk teeth leads to the fact that the growing molars, bumping into the missing milk teeth, change their direction of growth.
4. Lack of calcium, vitamin D, and an unbalanced diet lead to rickets and gradually deform the bite.
5. Abnormally short labial frenulums cause the teeth to be compressed, causing the bite to become pathological.

How to solve a problem

Acquired malocclusions can be corrected. This is not a task for one week or even a year, but the efforts will be generously rewarded. Upon completion of treatment, the dog will be able to take part in exhibitions and will be allowed to breed.

But even if the owner does not have the goal of pursuing a show career, it is necessary to treat his pet’s pathological bite. This is the key to his health and full life. It is better to do this when the puppy is not yet a year old.

Let's look at how to correct a dog's bite. This can be done in several ways, namely:

• removable devices;
• non-removable structures.

Removable devices

These include the so-called transparent removable aligners. They are placed over the teeth and should be worn at all times except when eating and brushing teeth. Their effect is constant and fairly strong pressure on the teeth in the desired direction. Every few months the design is replaced with a new one. It exerts stronger pressure, under the influence of which the teeth take the right direction. The orthodontic veterinarian must monitor the treatment process.

Removable braces can be used for puppies. They are shaped like a hard rubber ring. The principle of their action is the same, but they exert gentler pressure on the teeth.

Fixed structures

These are permanent braces. They are made of dense material and are firmly attached to the teeth using special dental glue. The force of their pressure is regulated using a special wire that connects the clasps that are put on the teeth. If necessary, the wire can be changed, thereby increasing or decreasing the pressure force.

Fixed structures have their contraindications. They cannot be installed if you have periodontal disease, stomatitis, or an allergic reaction to the braces material. Treatment is usually long-term.

How do doctors correct a bite?

For correction, you should visit a veterinarian orthodontist. Correction methods are similar to those used by dentists - installing mouth guards and braces.

Mouth guards are a modern way. These are clear acrylic brackets that can be removed for eating and cleaning, which is more convenient. The veterinarian, under anesthesia, takes an impression of the jaw and makes a mouthguard that will fit closely to the dog's teeth and apply the pressure as needed. When installing mouth guards, you need to visit a doctor once every 1-2 weeks - he replaces them so that the teeth gradually shift. The mouth guards will need to be left in place for as long as possible during the day, as long as the dog can tolerate it. Every day they are removed, brushed with toothpaste and washed.

Braces are not removable, unlike mouth guards, and are installed once and for the entire period of bite correction. This is a complex structure consisting of nickel-titanium wire of a certain thickness and locks. The orthodontist bends the wire as needed, fixing the device on the lower and upper jaw. Its thickness is selected individually in each specific case - the degree of pressure on the teeth depends on it.

Mouthguards made of transparent material

A removable product that not so long ago was used only to solve bite problems in people. The mouthguard can be removed while feeding your pet, brushing its teeth and other hygiene procedures.

To take an accurate impression, the specialist only needs to use anesthesia once. The design is easy to use and operate: it fits tightly to the teeth and “presses” on the desired areas.

After 8-12 weeks, the product is replaced with a new one, which is several millimeters larger, which ensures a shift in the dentition. Over time, the teeth end up in the right place. This process is constantly monitored; for this purpose, the doctor periodically makes intermediate impressions.

The dog must wear a mouthguard almost all the time, except for those moments when it needs to be removed. The structure requires regular maintenance - cleaning, rinsing under running water, etc.

Due to the high price and labor intensity, this method of correcting the bite is not very popular.