Changes

The ideal occlusion can be described as the perfect interdigitation of the upper and lower teeth. In the normal dog, the ideal tooth positions in the arches are defined by the '''occlusal, inter-arch and interdental relationships''' of the teeth.  

The ideal occlusion can be described as the ''perfect interdigitation of the upper and lower teeth''. In the normal dog, the ideal tooth positions in the arches are defined by the '''occlusal, inter-arch and interdental relationships''' of the teeth.  

The '''ideal relationship''' with the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|mouth]] closed can be defined by the following:

The '''ideal relationship''' with the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|mouth]] closed can be defined by the following:

:*The mesial crown cusp of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth is positioned lateral to the space between the mandibular fourth premolar tooth and the mandibular first molar tooth.

:*The mesial crown cusp of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth is positioned lateral to the space between the mandibular fourth premolar tooth and the mandibular first molar tooth.

This is described as '''orthoclusion'''.

This is described as '''orthocclusion'''.

The length of a dog's jaw is most importantly determined by its '''genetic background'''. [[Dental Malocclusion|Problems]] exist commonly in dogs mainly due to the great variation in [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology|skull]] types within the species. Other factors can influence jaw length during growth, such as diet, metabolism, trauma, infection and forces within the mouth.

The length of a dog's jaw is most importantly determined by its '''genetic background'''. [[Dental Malocclusion|Problems]] exist commonly in dogs mainly due to the great variation in [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology|skull]] types within the species. Other factors can influence jaw length during growth, such as diet, metabolism, trauma, infection and forces within the mouth.

File:Dog incisor occlusion.jpg|Occlusal assessment of the incisors of a dog.

File:Dog incisor occlusion.jpg|Occlusal assessment of the incisors of a dog.

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[[Category:Oral Examination]]

[[Category:Oral Examination]]

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry preMars]]

[[Category:Waltham reviewed]]

[[Category:LisaM reviewed]]