Malocclusion as a source of health problems in dogs. Bite in dogs: types of bite, bite correction, braces for dogs What to do for a puppy with malocclusion

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 emerge. 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 masticatory muscles,
- insufficient resorption of the roots of primary teeth,
-reduction in the size of the jaws and gums with teeth practically unchanged in shape,
- diet errors (soft and liquid feed, 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.

Bite- this is a feature of the relationship between the chewing surfaces of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws when they are closed. A normal bite is the correct relationship between the jaws and the teeth located on them. And, accordingly, malocclusion is a discrepancy in the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, as well as the incorrect arrangement of individual teeth (dystopia) or a whole row of teeth in the dental arcade on correctly developed jaws.

The normal type of bite is a scissor bite.- this means that the upper incisors overlap the lower ones and come into contact with them.

Also, a normal bite in some dog breeds includes progeny (overbite) - protrusion of the lower jaw beyond the upper jaw. This condition is considered normal in boxers, bullmastiffs, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, bulldogs, pugs, and is considered an anomaly in other dog breeds. In this case, in some cases, injury to the gums of the lower jaw by the teeth of the upper jaw does not occur.

Pincer (straight) bite- this is the contact of the chewing surface of the incisors of the upper and lower jaws during closure. For some breeds this is the norm (American Pit Bull Terrier, sometimes allowed in small breeds of dogs).

Prognathia (undershot) is a condition in which the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw, causing the upper incisors to overlap the lower incisors without touching. Prognathia is not considered normal for any breed of dog. The only exception is puppies, since over time this type of bite can change to normal.

And the most severe form of malocclusion includes a skewed mouth (misalignment) - this is a sideways displacement of the lower jaw with possible deformation of the upper jaw. In this case, a displacement of the teeth occurs in the dental arcade (mainly the incisal part) and a deviation along the central line is observed (Photo 1-2).

There is another form of bite - replaceable (transitional)– during the period of replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones. This bite is the basis for the future position of the teeth.

The causes of malocclusion are divided into congenital (including genetically determined) and acquired, arising from diseases suffered at an early age, deficiency of vitamins and minerals during tooth growth, diseases of the dental system, mechanical injuries and age-related changes in the body (aging). . Deviations from the normal form of the bite lead to disturbances in normal digestion and dental diseases. Examples of such diseases include delayed replacement of baby teeth, trauma to the soft tissues of the gums by the teeth of the upper or lower jaws, early tooth abrasion, plaque, tartar, gingivitis, periodontitis, osteomyelitis and complete loss of teeth with deformation of the jaws. In addition to bite pathologies, deviations from the norm are anomalies in the position of the teeth (disposition) - deviation of the tooth crown in relation to the dental arcade. Most often, this pathology is observed in the incisor teeth and canines.

On the side of the inclination from the dental arcade, the disposition of the teeth is divided:

2. Retroposition– inclination from the dentition to the center of the mouth cavity. It is also called oral and palatal diligence. In this case, the canines of the lower jaw injure the upper palate or the canine of the opposite jaw (Photo 5).

3. Torposition- this is the rotation of the tooth around its axis. Torposition can be insignificant - with a rotation angle of up to 30°, and significant - over 90°. In large breeds, this pathology is quite rare; small breeds (Yorkshire terriers, lapdogs, papillons, toy terriers, Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs) are more susceptible to it (Photo 6).

4. Transposition- This is an anomaly in which a change in the location of the teeth occurs. In this case, the incisor-edge changes place with the canine. Small breed dogs are most prone to transposition (Photo 7).

5. Vestibular deviation of teeth- This is the displacement of teeth from the dental arcade outward. It mainly affects the incisors.

6. Infra- and supraposition– low or high position of the teeth, their displacement in the vertical direction in relation to the height of the crowns of their group of teeth and the entire dental arcade.

7. Impacted tooth(s) is a tooth(s) that cannot erupt correctly and fall into place. An impacted tooth may be located deep in the bone or covered only by mucous membrane. Mostly, incisors, premolars and canines are affected by retention (Photo 8-9).

8. Oligodontia (lack of teeth)– This is a decrease in the number of teeth. Usually one or more teeth are missing. At the same time, the teeth located above the missing ones do not wear out more than other teeth in their group. The main reason for this is genetic predisposition (Photo 3-4).

9. Polyodontia (multiple teeth, or supernumerary teeth)– an increase in the number of teeth compared to the normal number. The increase usually occurs at the expense of one or two teeth. There is false and true polyodontia. False polyodontia develops as a result of non-loss of primary teeth, while true polyodontia is associated with the appearance of supernumerary permanent teeth. This mainly affects the incisors, less often the canines (Photo 24, 11).

To correct a particular malocclusion, an examination by a veterinary orthodontist is necessary. After collecting an anamnesis, determining the animal’s age, and assessing the degree of complexity of the anomaly, the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis and develops an individual treatment plan for the animal.

Treatment of malocclusions is:

– orthodontic – involves changing the direction of the teeth to their normal position or close to it.

Orthodontic treatment includes a wide variety of devices, removable and fixed systems, aimed at correcting the bite.

Our clinic uses modern orthodontic bite correction using a brace system, which we developed and adapted taking into account the anatomical characteristics of dogs and cats. Although this system has been known for a long time, it was used only in humans. The principle of this system is that braces (clasps) are glued to the teeth from the vestibular and lingual sides using special dental glue and, depending on the malocclusion, an orthodontic arch, a dental chain, a spring, or all together is installed (Photo 12). These parts of the system, thanks to gradual resistance, tension and straightening, force the tooth to take the desired path of movement in the alveolus and return incorrectly positioned teeth to the anatomically correct position. The big advantage is that such a system can only affect a certain tooth or teeth and not affect the others in any way. Therefore, there is no need to glue braces to all teeth. This technique can correct almost any malocclusion.

The bracket system includes:

1. Braces (clasps) – glued to the teeth;
2. Orthodontic arch – is installed in special grooves of the bracket and fixed with ligatures (there are self-ligating braces). Arcs can be of round or rectangular cross-section;
3. Rings - put on the teeth, fixed with glue, serve as both a bracket and a support, depending on the placement;
4. Springs are elements of the bracket system that are placed on the orthodontic arch, pushing or pulling the braces along the arch;
5. Dental chains, rings and other elements.

Contraindications to orthodontic treatment are:

1. Age until complete replacement of temporary teeth with permanent ones.
2. Metabolic disease.
3. Severe somatic diseases.
4. Periodontal diseases.
5. Aggressive animal temperament.
6. Lack of attention and time of pet owners for care and control.

Complications:

1. Loss (unsticking) of the bracket.
2. Migration of teeth to which the braces are attached.
3. Periodontal disease as a result of poor oral hygiene.
4. Inflammation in areas where the bracket contacts soft tissue.
5. Painful sensations, salivation.
6. Migration of corrected teeth back.

Having analyzed the experience gained, we can conclude that we obtained the best results when using our own developed bracket system technique. It allows you to make a correction without the risk of tooth loss, bring your teeth into alignment and get a stable result. With the surgical method, there is a very high risk of losing a tooth or teeth, the alignment is broken, a very long rehabilitation period and an unstable result. As a result, it should be noted that the orthodontist must be proficient in various techniques, be able to select the most correct technique, and, if necessary, combine them for each pet individually.

Below are various cases of tooth disposition before and after correction:

Direct bite and infraposition of incisors (Photo 13, 14, 15).

Overshot of the incisal part (Photo 16, 17, 18).

Disposition of the canine on the right of the lower jaw:

Malocclusion in dogs is registered quite often, and if previously veterinarians were unable to help the animal, today, in some cases, it is possible to correct the bite. Owners often face the question of what to do if their dog has an incorrect bite: should they contact a specialist or leave everything as is. But if left, what could be the negative consequences of such a decision? This is what we will talk about today.

Expert opinions on this matter are not the same. Some believe that the presence of such problems not only makes it difficult to eat and chew food, but is also the cause of the development of many diseases. In addition, improper alignment of teeth can cause injuries in the oral cavity, premature wear and fractures of teeth. Others are sure that an incorrect bite is just a flaw in the exterior and nothing needs to be corrected. So who to believe and what to do?

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.

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.

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.

Removable ones include the so-called invisible staples. Essentially, these are acrylic mouth guards that fit snugly over your teeth but are retracted when you eat or brush. But due to complexity and high cost, rubber rings are more often used. Up to one year of age they give good results. Efficiency always depends on the diagnosis and the chosen treatment method.

You can see how to properly check a dog’s bite:

Still have questions? You can ask them to our site's in-house veterinarian in the comment box below, who will respond to them as soon as possible.

The puppies are 5 weeks old and undershot. The breeder says that she can change to the correct one, but she may remain that way. The same is true with the correct bite - it can go bad. Is it true? A dog is bought not only for a home

Predicting bite in puppies

I’m revealing another kind of secret (I just remembered now), not related to generally known information. Knowing this can save you some problems in the future, especially if you are choosing a puppy for show or breeding. The data was obtained from an orthodontist who has long been involved in correcting bites not only in people, but also in dogs (oh, if only you knew how many dogs got the opportunity to exhibit only thanks to the work of doctors in correcting bites! Especially decorative breeds), and were tested by life.

The matter concerns, in fact, predicting the future bite of a puppy, until his milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones (age approximately 1-3 months). Particular attention should be paid to the position of the lower canine relative to the upper canine and the margin (outer incisor). If the lower canine comes into contact with the incisor, then there is a very high probability of overbite. If it goes into the upper gum (the tip of the fang, piercing the upper gum, should be broken off - any dentist can do this) or comes into contact with the upper canine, then an underbite is possible. Do not neglect to examine the teeth on both sides of the jaw - teeth may be placed one way on one side and another on the other. It’s very good if you at least know approximately what dangers puppies of a given breed and from these parents can face (for example, snacking is not uncommon among cockers), this can be taken into account during the examination.

In addition to these data, I also came across recommendations to examine the “bite” of puppies immediately after birth (immediately or in the first days). We are talking, of course, not about the position of the teeth, but about the position of the jaws - the lower relative to the upper where the incisors will grow in the future. True, I myself have never used this method - I don’t really believe in it, and it’s difficult to examine the teeth of such small puppies - they squeak, struggle, the mouth is small, the lips fit tightly and it’s difficult to pull them back... Although in At this age, you can see a clear overshot or a clear undershot - even a blind person will notice. For example, the lower lip sticks out like a roller, sometimes the inner side of the lip is even exposed (with the jaws closed)... This is an obvious undershot.

Another option is that the Canadians described a different method. It seems to me that it can be combined with the one I wrote about at the beginning (about fangs). In this case, the incisors look about a month old or a little later. Deciduous incisors are tiny, individual, rarely standing teeth. With a normal bite in an adult dog, the back surface of the upper incisors is in contact with the front surface of the lower ones. If they come into contact like this in small puppies, then there is a high probability of a snack. Firstly, permanent incisors are “thicker” than baby incisors, if you look at the incisor in profile; secondly, puppies grow unevenly (that is, the proportions of different parts of the body are different at different stages of growth) and the lower jaw usually lags slightly behind the upper - precisely for this reason For this reason, almost always (!) a tight or straight bite (both baby teeth and the permanent teeth that have already replaced them) smoothly transitions to an overbite after changing canines. With the correct position of the incisors in a one-month-old puppy, there should be a gap between the upper line of the incisors and the lower one, that is, the line of the incisors on the lower jaw should be slightly (for Airedales - a couple of millimeters) “lag behind” the line of the upper jaw.

All of the above, of course, applies to dogs for which the standard provides for a scissor bite and for those in whom a scissor bite is desirable, but a straight bite is also acceptable.

Jaw distortion
Jaw distortion, twist (English twist) - a violation of symmetry in the arrangement of the dentition and jaws relative to the longitudinal axis.

Those. Jaw distortion, in other words Crooked mouth. The jaw is curved, the teeth are tilted in different directions.
a defect such as a misaligned jaw, which can be either genetic or acquired due to injury and improper cultivation. This defect can be either mildly expressed, noticeable only upon careful examination when the lips are raised, or pronounced, noticeable even with a cursory glance at the dog.
There are several variants of jaw misalignment:
1) the lower jaw is shifted to the right or left;
2) when viewed from the front, the lower jaw on one side, right or left, does not fit tightly to the upper one, that is, it is not horizontal or parallel to the upper one (Fig. c);
3) when viewed from above, the lower jaw on one side, right or left, seems to be slightly longer and also not parallel to the upper. This happens when the teeth of the lower jaw, in particular the canines, are asymmetrically located in relation to each other.
As a rule, in all cases of jaw misalignment, the tongue is visible.

If only half of the lower row of incisors protrudes forward, then a misalignment of the jaw is noted, which in the sense of assessment is equal to an overshot, but in fact has a different causal nature. Sometimes the bite configuration is difficult to determine due to non-linearly positioned incisors (the so-called “checkerboard”). This can be a consequence of a genetically weak dental system, or the result of suffering from plague during the period of changing teeth.
A misalignment of the jaw can also change the facial part of the skull, creating the effect of a “displacement of the nose”; accordingly, in the lower jaw, one can often observe an incorrect arrangement of the incisors (“checkerboard”, lack, etc.). Problematic issues such as open bite and misalignment of the jaw are recent acquisitions in the breed and should be seriously penalized, since these deviations are heritable traits and are clearly transmitted and manifest themselves in offspring on a geometric scale, which makes the problem serious.
Most owners attribute a misaligned jaw to injury or the dog's tendency to chew on a bone or toy on one side of the jaw. This defect or predisposition to it has a certain heredity.
Jaw misalignment can most often be detected and diagnosed only after the age of 9 months. Because Until this age, in puppies and young dogs, the lower jaw is very mobile and easily changes its position; in addition, the puppy’s jaws grow unevenly, and during the change period, the bite can straighten on its own or show flaws and defects.
The final shape of the bite can be analyzed no earlier than 9 months! In some cases, the bite can take up to a year to form! In practice, one has to deal with different development and growth.

Continuing the topic of bite:

Progenia (overshot, or “bulldog”) is the opposite of undershot.
http://jaiveo.forumbook.ru/t217-topic
When examining the oral cavity, a picture will be observed when the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw. In this case, we should not forget that snacking is an exterior norm for some breeds of dogs, which was mentioned above.
The causes of overbite in dogs are accelerated growth of the lower jaw or weakened growth of the upper jaw, genetic inheritance, greater physical stress on the puppy's jaw, mechanical trauma, long-term preservation of milk teeth that affect the closure of the jaws. Correcting an underbite mainly comes down (with the exception of a genetic cause) to inhibiting the growth of the lower jaw.

A lopsided mouth is the most rare and severe case of a change in bite, when the closure of the jaws is completely disrupted. When examining the oral cavity in dogs with this bite, a sideways displacement of the lower jaw is observed. In some cases, there is also deformation of the upper jaw with displacement of the teeth.

The cause of a lopsided mouth is the uneven growth of one side of the jaw, which leads to its misalignment and, accordingly, difficulty in grasping food and tearing it.
Most veterinarians tend to attribute this to injury or the dog's tendency to chew on a bone or toy on one side of his jaw, as well as regular pulling on a leash or stick in play. However, as genetic studies show, this defect or predisposition to it has a certain hereditary determinacy. A twisted mouth occurs not only in dogs, but also in cats. For the latter, it is often accompanied by a snack.
Unlike other types of malocclusion, a lopsided mouth is practically impossible to treat, and dogs with this type of malocclusion are excluded from breeding.

In addition to all of the above types of bite, you can add a replacement bite. The mixed dentition should be considered as a transition period from the primary dentition to the permanent dentition. This period is based on preparatory phenomena and processes of loss of milk teeth and eruption of permanent teeth. Depending on the breed of dog, the replacement bite can last from 2 to 6 months. The start time of this occlusion is the eruption of the first permanent tooth, the end is the loss of the last milk tooth, i.e. the mixed dentition affects only the period of time when teeth are changed. Being essentially a temporary process, the mixed dentition does not particularly affect the physiological processes in the oral cavity and the animal’s body as a whole. However, it is the main indicator of the development of the oral organs, affecting the bite, and the quality of the main bite, which the dog will have practically throughout its entire life, directly depends on its formation.

Over the course of a dog's life, the condition of the bite may change. Changes can occur not only with a scissor bite, but also with a pincer bite. A scissor bite most often turns into an underbite (in Central Asian, Caucasian, German Shepherds, American Staffordshire Terriers, etc.). By the age of 3–5 years of a dog’s life, a pincer bite leads to protrusion of all incisors, followed by overbite or, in rare cases, underbite.
When considering changes in bite, one should not forget about the traumatic factor. In this case, the bite changes due to the length of time of the mechanical action, the force and location of its impact on a certain area of ​​the oral cavity. The traumatic factor is classified according to its effect on soft and hard tissues.
During puppyhood, owners can injure the puppy's jaw by active play with a stick or hard object. This occurs due to the sharp pulling of these objects from the mouth. Due to the soft jaw, there is a slight stretching of the jaw, which often leads to overbiting. Impacts and bruises of the soft tissues of the oral cavity and head can lead not only to damage to the teeth, but also to disruption of the functions of masticatory and facial muscle groups, up to degenerative phenomena with disruption of their innervation.

Fractures of the lower and upper jaws lead to various changes in the bite. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the location of the fracture and the time of providing veterinary care. The sooner it is provided, the less likely it is that the normal bite will change.
Recently, one of the reasons for changes in bite in dogs can be dental prosthetics. When installing a metal prosthesis (crown), veterinarians pay little attention to the consequences of changes in the bite.
However, it is known that a metal crown placed on a canine or molar always, to one degree or another, affects the bite.
Therefore, the veterinarian should not forget about changes in bite as a result of dental prosthetics in dogs.
Prevention is aimed primarily at preventing the breeding of those dogs that have a genetic inheritance for abnormal bite. It is necessary to monitor the development of the jaw in a growing puppy and, if necessary, immediately seek advice or treatment from a veterinarian.

CORRECTION OF BITE IN DOGS.

There are five main types of bite in dogs.
SCISSORS (ORTHOGNATHY)- is normal for most dog breeds.

SNACK (PROGENIA) - is the norm for bulldog-like dogs, for others it is an anomaly. Snacks can be with or without waste. An overshot occurs only in the incisor group of teeth; there is an overshot of the incisors and canines at the same time (bulldog).

For different breeds of dogs, both types of snacks are the norm.

UNDOCUTION (PROGNATHY)- is not the norm for any dog ​​breed.

PLIERS (DIRECT BITE)- allowed and considered normal for some dog breeds.

OPEN BITE (NON-CLUSION OF THE INCISAL TEETH)- is not the norm for any breed of dog.

With any type of bite, such anomalies as DISRUPTIONS (ASYMMETRY).

Distortions can be horizontal, vertical, distal, vestibular and cross. There may be a combination of various distortions (in different planes).
Dogs may also have defects such as abnormalities in jaw size (MACROGNATHIA AND MICROGNATHIA).
There is also an anomaly - a violation of the number of teeth (ADENTIA, HYPODENTIA AND HYPERODENTIA).
Any malocclusion can lead to the development of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, the most complex joint in the dog’s body. This joint moves in three planes.

CAUSES OF BITE ANOMALIES.
1. Untimely removal of baby teeth.
2. Weak skeletal system of the dog (rickets).
3. Bad habits of the dog (gnaws objects or itself).
4. Wrong toys and games (with other dogs or the owner).
5. Trauma.
6. Inconsistency in the shape, size of teeth and alveolar ridges.
7. Inconsistency in the size of the tongue and mouth, as well as dense and tight lips. Short frenulum labial and lingual.
8. The presence of supernumerary teeth (polydontia) or the absence of a complete set of teeth (oligodontia).
9. Genetic predisposition.

There are many reasons for malocclusion requiring correction, as mentioned above. And only one of them is GENETICS. Therefore, it is a shame to remove from breeding those individuals who, for one reason or another, have an malocclusion. Here we can add that a true genetic malocclusion is not amenable to orthodontic treatment (the bite wants to remain the way Mother Nature made it). Consequently, such dogs will not receive a breeding assessment in any case and will not be able to engage in breeding work.
In order to straighten a dog's bite, a number of measures are used. These measures include: removal of baby teeth, the use of massages, deworming of animals, restoration of phosphorus-calcium metabolism through vitamin and mineral supplements, the use of non-jaw devices and, finally, orthodontic devices (plates).

Permanent teeth begin to erupt at 3 - 4 months (usually, the smaller the puppy, the later)
Time for changing baby teeth:
incisors 3-5 months
fangs 4-7 months
premolars 4-6 months
molars 4-7 months

A significant deviation in the timing of teeth change is most often caused by nutritional disorders (lack or excess of minerals, and not necessarily calcium, but, for example, phosphorus or fluorine) or genetic predisposition (close relatives had similar problems).

The final (permanent) kit consists of:
Upper jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large (P4 is the largest tooth in the upper jaw) on each side); molars 2
Lower jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large on each side); molars 3
Total: 42 permanent teeth

Rare teeth (oligodontia)
Insufficient number of teeth.

There are several options:
incisive oligodontia, is often associated with a significant elongation of the facial part of the skull or excessively large teeth relative to the size of the head.
If the muzzle is too narrow, the incisal row of the lower jaw bends significantly forward. This leads to the fact that if there is not enough space, 5 or even 4 incisors are laid. Therefore, many scientists recommend combining the culling of dogs with dental deficiencies with the culling of too narrow and elongated heads.
In the case of mating of two parents that differ significantly in size, similar phenomena can occur if the puppies inherit the jaw size of the smaller one and the large teeth of the larger one (see picture).

lack of one or more premolars- in some cases, P1 and P2 may be completely absent in both the lower and upper jaws.
If your puppy is missing one of his premolars, it may be a good idea to have a fluoroscopy done between 12 and 16 weeks of age to make sure a tooth is truly missing. In most cases, the tooth ends up in place, it’s just that its crown is so small that it doesn’t fit through the soft gum tissue. Then, it is impossible to consider a dog as “deficient” in the literal sense. In addition, any veterinarian can make a small incision in the gums and the tooth will “appear.” Lack of molars - most often the M3 of the lower jaw is missing.

frequent (polyodontia) or double teeth
Premolars are usually superfluous. Extra teeth are distinguished from remaining milk teeth using x-rays.

Double teeth can form when the crown is not formed correctly. For example, an injury during the formation of a tooth can lead to the formation of two crowns growing from one root. Or, conversely, if there is not enough space and the roots are too close together, two teeth can “grow together”, then you get one excessively large tooth, sometimes even with a hollow at the “junction” point.

displacement of teeth and preservation of primary incisors
Normally, the incisors should be positioned evenly, like beads on a string, but in some cases, especially if there is not enough space for normal formation, “misalignment” or “chessboard” may form. When the sockets of the incisors shift in a checkerboard pattern forward, or deeper into the jaw from the general line of location.
The formation of misalignment can also be caused by the deciduous incisors not falling out in time. If you do not remove them in time, you can get the picture shown in this picture. Because retaining baby teeth causes permanent teeth to erupt in an abnormal position.

Remaining baby teeth should be removed immediately upon discovery. It is advisable that the operation be performed by an experienced surgeon to prevent damage to permanent teeth and avoid cracks and chips of the milk roots (which are several times longer than the crowns). All root fragments must be removed, since they also interfere with the formation of a normal bite.

Fusion and non-prolapse of the primary canines of the upper jaw.
This anomaly is quite common.
The previous paragraph stated that the roots of baby teeth are quite large. But with the normal formation of the dental system, they “resolve” on their own by the time the permanent tooth comes out and the “milk jug” falls out.
If this does not happen (or happens too slowly), then the primary canine either lingers for up to 7-9 months (teeth 3-4), or its root grows to the periosteum, and it never falls out.

According to the observations of veterinarians, fused or missing primary canines not only lead to malocclusion at a time when permanent teeth are especially vulnerable, but also predispose the animal to oronosal fistulas and tumors. Therefore, even if the “extra” canine does not bother you or your dog, it is better to remove it.
As you can see, changing teeth is a very important stage in the formation of a dog’s appearance and health. Therefore, owners need to carefully monitor its progress. Ideally, at the age of 3-7 months, it is necessary to check the condition of the teeth at least 1-2 times a week. At the same time, this will teach the dog to show its teeth on command, which will be very useful at exhibitions.
During the period of teeth change, it is necessary to provide preventive measures that create the most favorable conditions for the formation of the dental system.
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Malocclusions - undershot and overshot - are disqualifying, and this cannot be objected to. However, here too you need to be very careful before passing judgment. Some clubs have introduced so-called puppy acceptance. In general, this thing is very controversial, since it is more than problematic to determine the exterior, and even more so the breeding value of a puppy at 8 weeks of age. Control of the litter should serve a different purpose - control of the care of the bitch and the litter.
A litter can be assessed only from the point of view of uniformity - only disqualifying defects are identified. I would like to dwell on the danger of error when assessing the relationship of the jaws. The specific structure of the facial bones in animals allows for uneven growth of these bones.
In general, it is obvious that a malocclusion is corrected to a scissor bite when changing teeth in 50% of cases. One interesting thing cannot be omitted here. This rule is well known to specialists, and a private breeder or veterinarian truthfully informs the distressed owner of such a puppy about the state of affairs, but, however, there are also cunning people who profitably sell what they know. They offer some kind of injections that supposedly will fix everything, and, indeed, this often happens. But not at all from injections. If this does not work out, then they explain that the owner of the puppy came forward late, or that the defect is very serious.
No injections help, they do not exist anywhere, and in the West too, no massages help, but only good food rich in minerals. A final decision can be made about overbite or underbite only after changing teeth.
Of course, in small puppies, in which the defect can be detected at an early age, the likelihood of having an incorrect bite is higher than in puppies that have a normal bite. This factor can be used as a guide, for example, when selecting a large litter (if more than 8 puppies were born).

We will next consider permanent teeth. The teeth have all grown, straight and beautiful, and we are calm about this. But sometimes it happens that a tooth is missing, and we have to find out the reason. It often happens that there is a tooth, but it has not erupted and can be easily felt under the skin. In this case, you do not need to cut through the skin, otherwise it will grow back, but etch it with a stick, which you can buy at the pharmacy. This operation is painless and teeth appear in a few days.
Especially dangerous are stud dogs, bearers of high titles, highly desirable for mating: they are capable of literally freezing the population with the defect of hidden missing teeth if they are carriers of this undesirable defect.

We need to pay attention to one more problem. It happens, and not so rarely, that some of the baby teeth do not fall out - they persist. This usually happens when a permanent tooth does not form. The root of the baby tooth does not dissolve (because there is no reason) and the permanent tooth does not displace the baby tooth. Most often this happens with P2 and P3. A persistent milk tooth often lasts until the 2nd or even 3rd year of life, during which time the dog goes through a series of exhibitions and assessment. Everywhere, of course, it appears as a dog with a full set of teeth. And suddenly at the next exhibition the judge does not find one tooth. The owner, naturally, defends himself, presents descriptions from previous exhibitions and is absolutely sure that the dog lost a tooth due to some kind of injury. Unfortunately, it is not. A dog could, of course, break a tooth, but not uproot it. And a veterinarian, armed with the appropriate tool, needs to make a considerable effort to pull out a dog’s tooth. Here we can only talk about the loss of a persistent milk tooth, which eventually fell out on its own.
A judge who doesn't look at his teeth in the champion class makes a mistake. Thus, it turns out that half-toothed inter-champions are running around the world. Understandable with all the consequences that this high title brings. When assessing, it is necessary not only to count the teeth, but also to carefully examine them. A specialist must be able to distinguish a baby tooth from a permanent one.

And in the end I would like to say, dear dog owners! If you are going to buy a puppy with “prospects for exhibitions”, but you don’t understand much about it, remember that you MUST BUY THE PUPPY AFTER THE CHANGE OF THE MILK TEETH, which will give you a guarantee of at least the correct bite. If you don’t know what a correct bite looks like, invite someone who really understands this with you.

One of the most common oral pathologies in dogs is malocclusion. Dental diseases in dogs often cause chronic damage to the intestines, stomach, joints, skin, respiratory system, kidneys and even the heart. Since the state of the digestive system affects the overall well-being of the animal.

Malocclusion in dogs makes it difficult to eat and injures the mucous membrane of the cheeks, gums, tongue and lips. It can also cause sinusitis. Dogs with malocclusions cannot participate in exhibitions even after successful correction; they cannot participate in breeding work, since jaw pathologies are often genetic in nature.

Causes of malocclusion in dogs

Among the most common causes are genetic and hereditary abnormalities. Incorrect formation of teeth is also affected by:

• developmental disorder,
• lack of minerals in the diet,
• training and games with excessive stress on growing teeth,
• untimely change of teeth,
• injuries,
• too large molars and any other discrepancy between the size of the teeth compared to the size of the jaws.

You can notice the incorrect position of the teeth after the puppy is four months old when the baby teeth are replaced with permanent ones. At this point, some animals experience oligodontia (not a full set of teeth) or the presence of extra teeth (hyperdontia, polyodontia). In small dog breeds, double rows of teeth are often observed due to non-loss of baby teeth (false polyodontia).

Types of malocclusions

The three most common types of malocclusions are:

1. Prognathia,
2. progeny,
3. crossbite

Prognathia, that is, undershot It is not considered normal in one breed. This is insufficient development of the lower jaw, when the lower incisors do not reach the upper ones. The upper premolars are displaced forward in relation to the lower premolars.

Progenia (underbite, reverse scissor bite, or bulldog bite) occurs when the lower incisors protrude in front of the upper incisors. This bite is considered normal in some breeds with a short muzzle: French and English bulldogs, boxers,. A direct bite is also abnormal, when the lower and upper incisors touch each other with their edges.

However, this contact can cause uneven wear and early tooth loss. But for some breeds it is considered normal. T There are also such anomalies as anterior crossbite(one or more lower incisors are located in front of the upper incisors), crooked bite (one side of the jaw grows faster than the other), open bite (some incisors do not touch each other and are spaced vertically). There are also unerupted teeth.

Correcting malocclusion in dogs

Orthodontics deals with the prevention and correction of malocclusions. Doctors insist that the sooner a dog’s bite is corrected, the faster and easier it is to achieve good results. Correction occurs with the help of braces - special structures for correcting the bite and straightening the teeth. They are removable and non-removable.

The most modern removable systems are acrylic transparent aligners that press on the teeth in the desired direction. They are changed every one to two weeks so that the teeth constantly shift. Removable modified braces for small puppies in the form of a rubber ring are also often used. Fixed structures are fixed until the bite is corrected. The doctor periodically tightens the plates to adjust the degree of rotation and inclination of the tooth being corrected.