Overbite
Overbite
Also known as a Class 2 Malocclusion, an overbite can be a painful misalignment of teeth in your dog.
Originally published by Stephen Juriga, DVM · part of the AOSN network.
Signs you might notice
What you need to know
The lower canine teeth are striking the roof of the mouth or palate.
What you need to know
It can happen to both puppies and adult dogs.
What you need to know
The goal is to provide a comfortable and functional bite for your pet as he/she matures.
What's really going on
An overbite or class 2 malocclusion results in the lower canine teeth striking the roof of the mouth or palate. This is a painful condition. Dental therapy should be performed as soon as possible with the goal to provide a “comfortable and functional bite”.
Extraction therapy of puppy teeth is recommended as young as possible (6-9 weeks of age), to relieve the pain of tooth-to-palate contact as well as to allow the lower jaws to grow to their genetic potential. Unfortunately, most lower jaws will remain too short. Therefore, these pets must be re-evaluated at 5.5 months of age to select the best therapy: orthodontic therapy, extraction of the lower canine teeth or crown reduction (shortening the teeth) and pulp capping.
How it may look
How a specialist helps
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Possible therapy / treatment
