Correct bite in dogs, how to check and correct. Scissor or regular bite in dogs

In our gallery you can see what it looks like: scissor bite in dogs photo, correct bite photos of dogs, photos of the correct bite of a Yorkie, photos of the correct bite of a Chihuahua, photos and many other photos.

Why is it so important to know if your dog's bite is correct? The answer is simple. Malocclusion can cause a lot of trouble for pets: it makes chewing food difficult, causes chronic diseases stomach, intestines, affects general state animal. In addition, incorrect positioning causes injury to the mucous membrane oral cavity. Dogs with malocclusion do not participate in exhibitions, since malocclusions are often genetic in nature.

The reasons for the formation of malocclusion may be: lack of essential minerals, games during the formation of teeth with improper load, hereditary deviations, etc.

Very often, malocclusion problems are characteristic of small ornamental breeds dogs. We have selected material for you: photo of Yorkie’s bite, photo of Yorkie’s bite french bulldog photo, Chihuahua's bite photo.

Correcting malocclusion in dogs is possible with the use of removable and permanent orthodontic structures. Braces with special adjustable arches are attached to the teeth using special glue, exerting pressure on the teeth and physically directing them into the desired position. It is worth noting that bite alignment in dogs is a long process.

Malocclusion in dogs photo

Braces to straighten a dog's bite

Scissor bite in a dog, photo

Correct bite in a dog, photo

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

Bite in a French bulldog, photo

Straightening a dog's teeth, photo

Chihuahua's bite photo

Bite in a dog, photo of a pug

What does an overbite look like in a dog?

Scissor bite, photo of violations

In this article I will talk about malocclusion in dogs. I will describe its main types and causes of occurrence. I will explain what the consequences are and how to fix it.

The correct bite in dogs is a scissor or scissor bite: at the moment the jaws join, the back teeth of the upper teeth meet as tightly as possible with the incisors of the lower one.

Occlusion is the nature of the position, closure and relationship of the upper and lower jaws with maximum contact and complete closure of the teeth.

Scissor bite in a puppy

Causes of malocclusion in dogs

The condition and shape of the jaw is important indicator when evaluating a dog at an exhibition.

If signs of deformation or a change in the defect in the dog’s teeth are detected, dog handlers will disqualify the representative of the breed. Therefore, if a puppy is purchased and raised for a show career and further breeding, careful attention must be paid to the teeth.

In order to prevent the formation of malocclusion, it is necessary to eliminate all the causes that contribute to the development of pathology of the pet’s jaw.

The main reasons for the formation of incorrect teeth position are:

• genetic predisposition. Dogs having incorrect position teeth, are rejected from breeding so as not to worsen the breed characteristics of future litters. Therefore, before purchasing a puppy, it is necessary to establish the fact that the descendants have the correct one;
• poor quality and unbalanced nutrition. A lack of vitamins and microelements necessary for the growth and development of teeth leads to disturbances in the structure of the teeth and jaw as a whole. To prevent pathology, the puppy must receive good food according to age and stay in natural sunlight for up to two hours a day;
• metabolic disorders lead to improper absorption of nutrients entering the body and their subsequent deficiency. In addition to quality nutrition, the dog should receive daily physical exercise according to breed and age standards. It is also necessary to treat all diseases in a timely manner to prevent disruptions in the body’s functioning and subsequent complications;
• violation of the schedule for changing baby teeth, in the form of premature eruption of molars when temporary ones have not fallen out, leads to displacement and curvature of new ones permanent teeth. If deviations occur in the schedule for changing teeth, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian to correct the situation;
• jaw injuries such as blows, strong pressure(when a dog sinks its teeth into something and pulls hard on it), gnawing hard objects(for example, bones) also causes crooked teeth and jaws. The puppyhood period is the most important period in the development of a dog's bite. Until all of the dog’s single-rooted teeth grow in, it is necessary to observe safety measures to injure the jaw (do not play tugging with objects with the puppy, do not allow the puppy to gnaw on bones or other solid substances, try to avoid possible injuries). In case of jaw injury, you should immediately contact a veterinarian for examination.

Types of malocclusion

It is possible to detect jaw deformation in a dog starting at the age of 4 months, when the baby teeth change.

Dog handlers distinguish four main types of abnormal changes in dogs.

Straight

It is characterized by complete closure of the lower and upper incisors along one line. Leads to premature wear of the incisors. In this case, food is chewed poorly, which affects digestion and absorption. necessary elements nutrition.

Children's undershot

Underbite is observed in puppyhood. It is characterized by a slight deviation of the lower jaw backward relative to the upper jaw. As a rule, it corrects itself when baby teeth are replaced with permanent ones.

Snack (progenia)

Overshot manifests itself in a slight protrusion of the lower incisors and canines forward relative to the upper ones. This deviation is the standard for the Boxer, Bulldog, Pekingese and Shih Tzu breeds. For other dogs, this is a pathology.

Underbite

It is characterized by significant protrusion of the upper incisors in front of the lower ones. This pathology are clearly disqualifying for exhibitions and breeding.

An incorrectly formed bite can be corrected when the dog is between 5 and 12 months old.

Consequences

The dog has a number of consequences and complications, such as:

• digestive problems associated with poor quality of chewing food and insufficient processing of the food bolus with saliva, which leads to stool disorders and poor absorption nutrients from feed, chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract;
• injury to the mouth cavity (tongue, gums, palate) during intensive chewing of food is the cause of the formation inflammatory processes And various diseases, leading a large number complications;
• Constant drooling leads to the appearance of weeping eczema and dermatitis on the dog’s face.

If the bite is incorrect, the dog should be discarded from breeding for ethical reasons.

When participating in exhibitions, dog handlers also disqualify animals with this pathology.

In the article I talked about malocclusion in dogs. She described its main types and causes. She explained what the consequences are.

Strong, white and straight teeth are the key to a dog’s survival and overall health. No, this is not an advertising campaign for a new toothpaste, but a fact that can be explained from a physiological point of view. Violation of the structure of the jaws, dentition or malocclusion in a dog is a direct path to problems with digestion, and, as a consequence, with health in a global sense.

Show judges and dog handlers are very strict with bite standards, which is understandable. Most problems associated with misaligned teeth are genetic. As you know, any deviation “written in DNA” is passed on to subsequent generations and can appear years later. Intentional concealment of the fact of a deformed bite in a dog and its further participation in breeding work has devastating consequences for the breed as a whole. This is not an exaggeration, given the process of degeneration and the number of defects in many established breeds.

Note! Genetic defects include a discrepancy between the proportions of the head and jaws, too large molars, and a congenital tendency to gum disease.

Except genetic reasons, improper development of teeth can be associated with a number of factors:

• Violation metabolic processes, including . A young body that does not receive enough vitamins, microelements, proteins and other vital necessary substances vulnerable to many ailments. Improper formation of the dentition or jawbone as a whole is caused by a lack of calcium, vitamin D and substances that support normal level hemoglobin.

• Untimely replacement of baby teeth. The molars, which are about to erupt, rest against tightly-standing or loose baby teeth. Without a path, the molar changes its growth trajectory, leaning backward, towards the tongue or forward. Negative consequences can be avoided by contacting a veterinarian to remove baby teeth whose time has come.

• Jaw box injuries– Puppies and young dogs can injure themselves while playing or chewing on something. Please note that regular chewing of moslaks leads to crooked teeth. Blunt blows to the jaws, head, and nose can lead to disruption of the structure of the chewing joints. The consequences of such injuries are unpredictable and it is not a fact that a veterinarian will be able to help.

Read also: A dog was bitten by a tick: what to do, first aid

Important! Young dogs often spoil their bite due to lack of training. A pet that chews shoes, furniture legs, stones, or plaster on walls injures gums and distorts teeth.

Types of bites in dogs

In canine science, there are four types of bites and obvious disorders related to the deformation of the dentition. It is almost impossible to detect malocclusion in puppies under 4 months of age. There is an opinion that the irregular structure of the jaw box is better distinguishable in newborn babies than in one-month-old puppies. In practice, it is extremely difficult to examine the jaws, or more precisely, the way they close in 1–2 day old babies.

• Scissor bite when the lower incisors touch the base back side upper, is considered the norm for most breeds. All wild dogs have a scissor bite, which is understandable from the point of view of the gene pool and evolution. When the jaws close, the dog's teeth converge into a lock, which helps to hold the prey.

• Straight bite– the lower and upper incisors close in one line. Fangs and chewing teeth do not close completely. A direct malocclusion in a dog threatens rapid wear of the incisors and poor quality of chewing of food. It is believed that with such a violation, the health of the canines and chewing teeth nothing is in danger, however, it is known that teeth that are not involved in chewing deteriorate faster.

• Snack or progenia– the lower incisors, and sometimes the canines, protrude in front of the upper ones. For Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekingese and Shih Tzus, slightly protruding lower incisors are breed standard, but for dogs with proportional cranium, undershot is a defect.

• Underbite(disqualifying deviation for all breeds) – the lower incisors overlap the upper ones with a large gap. In the wild or in stray conditions, dogs with a snack most often die at a young age.

This is interesting! Vices become “highlights” when the right approach. Confirmation is the world-famous Tuna dog with a very serious underbite. If the baby had not fallen into the hands of her caring mother, Courtney, the dog’s fate would most likely have been tragic. However, thanks to her optimistic outlook on life, Courtney not only saved a life, but also got rich by tagging a photo of her pet on in social networks and making a “new brand” out of their Tuna.

Read also: Myocardosis in cats and dogs: causes, symptoms, treatment

In addition to the generally accepted types of malocclusion, there are a number of possible disorders:

• Teeth growing in 2 rows - a consequence wrong shift baby teeth are most often observed in small breeds, for example, in Yorkies.

• An insufficient or excessive number of teeth may be considered a disqualifying fault or abnormality, depending on the breed standard.

• Too much short bridles make the dog's lips inelastic, which can physically put pressure on the incisors.

• Crossbite - one or more lower incisors extend beyond the upper ones when the jaws close.

• Misalignment of the bite - occurs due to improper formation of the jaw box. One side of the jaw grows faster than the other, the jaw or the entire muzzle becomes non-septenary.

• Open bite – observed when the front incisors are crooked or improperly grown and do not close at all when the jaws are closed.

Note! Unerupted molars are also classified as malocclusions.

Consequences of malocclusion and methods for eliminating defects

Incorrect position of the teeth is the ruin of a show career and breeding work, however, if the bite was disturbed not due to genetic disease, and your pet has solid prospects for showing, it is worth fighting with defects. Please note that if your dog has an incorrect bite, optimal time for straightening - age from 5 to 12 months. A veterinarian orthodontist will help you work on your bite.

Depending on the situation, to correct a dog’s malocclusion, the doctor will prescribe wearing braces, which are divided into two types:

• Removable- overlays placed on the incisors for the purpose of constant physical pressure on growing teeth. Most often, braces are made of silicone and are changed as needed.

• Fixed– a bracket system consisting of metal plates and pins. The system is attached to the dog's teeth and periodically tightened to adjust the growth or formation of teeth.

Any self-respecting dog owner, especially a toy terrier, should master the basics of dentistry. And it doesn’t matter whether you plan to exhibit your pet at exhibitions and participate in dog shows or not.

The fact is that a correct bite in dogs is needed not only as an indicator of exterior appearance. Correct bite affects appearance animal, on the health of the pet. Many problems that arise with the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, are associated with dental problems. Not to mention the fact that jaw pathologies cause injury to the dog’s gums, tongue and oral mucosa.

What happens and what should be the bite in dogs?

A dog's bite is a form of closing of teeth. The correct bite is individual for each breed. What is good for a bulldog is a disqualifying fault for a toy terrier. And vice versa.

Cynology distinguishes the following types of dog bite depending on the form of closure of the teeth:

• Scissor bite (normal) or orthodontics. The name comes from the similarity with the structure of scissors.

This form of closure of the teeth is determined by the tight fit of the lower jaw incisors to the back side upper jaw. Despite the absence of spaces between the teeth, they do not rub against each other, but form a kind of “lock”.

This form of teeth closure is justified from the point of view of dog physiology and is the norm for most breeds and wild relatives of our four-legged friends. Since this shape of the jaw allows the animal to gnaw bones, bite and hold the victim tightly in its teeth. As you can imagine, this is important for wildlife and almost all working breed dogs.

A normal scissor bite is also standard for the Toy Terrier.

Look at the photo of the correct bite of the toy terrier. In case of deviation, the dog is excluded from the breeding offspring, which is allowed for breeding.

• Direct (pincer) bite. When the jaw is closed, the upper and lower incisors converge in one line, resting against each other. In this case, the closure of the canines and chewing incisors can be either complete or incomplete.

This type of teeth closure, due to the significant load on the front incisors, affects the strength of the chewing elements. They wear down much faster than with a scissor bite. At the same time, canines and chewing incisors are not ground down.

Congenital straight bite is associated with an initially incorrect position of the upper and lower jaws in relation to each other. And an acquired pincer bite is formed during the period of teeth change in a puppy, when the young dog is overly active in games with grabbing and tugging. As a result, the incisors of the lower jaw bend forward at an angle.

In Toy Terriers, a direct bite is allowed, which is characterized by an alveolar inclination of the incisors. Such dogs are not disqualified at exhibitions.

• Bulldog Snack or Bite(progenia, protruding chin). Everyone is familiar with this type of bite from the boxer or bulldog breed, in which the lower jaw protrudes in front of the upper jaw. Moreover, the lower incisors and canines are often exposed. This form of teeth closure is a kind of calling card of these breeds, since the facial bones of these animals are shortened.
• Undershot (prognathia). A disqualifying pathology, which is expressed in a shortened lower jaw, due to which the lower incisors do not close with the upper ones.

Causes of malocclusion in dogs.

The cause of malocclusion in dogs in most cases is genetics. Therefore, breeders pay Special attention prohibition of breeding of animals with such a deviation.

However, there are other reasons for the appearance of improper formation of chewing elements in a toy terrier.

And these include:

• violation of feeding requirements. First of all, this concerns the lack of minerals in the diet of a pregnant dog and puppies.
• jaw injury in puppyhood.
• active games that emphasize grasping and tugging with teeth. Excessive load leads to sad consequences.
• Toy terriers have problems when replacing primary premolars with permanent ones. So timely removal of primary premolars will enable the timely development of permanent teeth and save you from problems with irregular shape closure of teeth in the future.

Correcting bite in dogs.

Correcting a dog's bite is very difficult; it is easier to pay attention to the animal's oral cavity than to correct the position of the jaw and teeth.

For puppies during the period of formation of the change from the primary dentition to the permanent one, it is important to pay attention to the pet’s nutrition. The diet should contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. When feeding your Toy Terrier puppy with ready-made dry food, choose food that contains these minerals. If your dog eats natural food, then add it to his food, the dosage and composition of which must be agreed with your veterinarian.

If Toy Terrier puppies have dental problems, an ideal bite can be formed using the services of veterinarians who specialize in dentistry and orthodontics. They place a special rubber ring on the teeth, which straightens the incisors and fangs.

In adult Toy Terriers, the shape of the closure of the teeth can be corrected using canine braces. Teeth that need to be slightly moved or rotated can be adjusted. To do this, permanent wire connections are placed on the dog’s teeth. The material used is medical stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy.

The wire connections press on the tooth and since the connection between the tooth and the jaw is not rigid, the incisor or canine begins to gradually move in in the right direction. And the vacated space is filled with bone tissue.
Braces are an individual device. Those terriers who have allergic reaction, ulcerative stomatitis, gingivitis and others, braces are contraindicated. In all other cases, the veterinarian will install a device that corrects the bite and tell you how to care for it.

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 may change according to various reasons, and be, for example, floating (a temporary phenomenon in puppies due to a soft, not yet formed jaw), distorted (improper growth of teeth, injuries, congenital anomalies) or alveolar (improper inclination of teeth).

Chinese crested bite

CORRECT BITE

DIRECT BITE

Straight bite in an adult dog

CHILDREN'S UNDERBITE

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 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

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, but the incisors and canines on the lower jaw are located at such an angle that they come into contact with upper teeth and form a tight scissor bite.

SNACK

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, milk canine does not allow the molar canine to grow correctly, because of this the molar canine moves the incisors. Read the article -