Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

[[File:Dog teeth occlusion 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment – mandibular incisors occlude on the palatal aspect of the maxillary incisors (known as a scissor bite), the mandibular canine interdigitates half way between the maxillary canine and third incisor, and the premolars interdigitate in a “picking shear” effect.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Dog teeth occlusion 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment – mandibular incisors occlude on the palatal aspect of the maxillary incisors (known as a scissor bite), the mandibular canine interdigitates half way between the maxillary canine and third incisor, and the premolars interdigitate in a “picking shear” effect.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

Owners should also be counselled with regard to the possible '''inheritance''' of the condition. Dogs with severe dental malocclusion should not be bred from.

Owners should also be counselled with regard to the possible '''inheritance''' of the condition. Dogs with severe dental malocclusion should not be bred from.

==Treatment==

==Prevention and Treatment of Malocclusion==

The primary aim is to relieve '''pain and discomfort'''.

Prevention is always better than treatment. Early recognition of a problem is essential to avoid discomfort and pain to the animal and prevent the development of severe pathology. Malocclusion affecting the primary dentition may require interceptive orthodontics (usually extraction of the deciduous teeth). Malocclusion affecting the permanent dentition may need no treatment at all, if it is not causing the animal discomfort or any oral pathology. Malocclusion causing discomfort and pathology always needs treating.

'''Dental extraction''' is usually the most rapid method of relieving pain and treating any soft tissue injuries such as palatal trauma from canines. In growing animals, teeth should be exctracted preferably before 12 weeks of age, with great care taken not to damage the developing permanent teeth. Extraction should be performed bilaterally symmetrically to prevent any influence of growth of the jaws.

Primary teeth involved in malocclusion should be extracted as early as possible, i.e. at 6–8 weeks of age. This will allow the maxilla and mandible to develop to their full genetic potential independently before the permanent dental interlock forms. The roots of primary teeth are longer and narrower than the roots of the permanent teeth. Extraction requires care and patience to avoid tooth fracture. It is essential not to fracture the root, as a remnant may continue to deviate the eruption pathway of the permanent tooth. Every attempt should be made to minimize the risk of iatrogenic damage to the developing permanent teeth.  

If dental malocclusions are relieved early, this will provide the jaws with the maximum time to achieve full growth.

The treatment options available for permanent teeth causing a traumatic malocclusion are orthodontics, tooth shortening or extraction. In many instances, tooth shortening or extraction are preferable to orthodontics on ethical grounds. Tooth shortening often requires pulpal exposure. In this situation, endodontic therapy of the shortened tooth is mandatory. Lingually displaced mandibular canines in young dogs can often be corrected by stimulating the dogs to play, as often as possible, with specific rubber toys of an appropriate size and shape.  

{{Learning

{{Learning

[[Category:Teeth - Pathology]]

[[Category:Teeth - Pathology]]

[[Category:Dental Diseases - Cat]]

[[Category:Dental Diseases - Cat]]

[[Category:Dental Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:Dental Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:Developmental Dental Conditions]]

[[Category:Developmental Dental Conditions]]

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry Images]]

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry Images]]

[[Category:To Do - Mars Check]]

[[Category:To Do - preMars]]

[[Category:LisaM reviewing]]

[[Category:LisaM reviewing]]