Overbites in Puppies

Normal development of teeth is vital to a puppy's health. As the puppy grows, regular dental exams can spot any abnormalities. One condition that puppies can develop is an overbite. While some minor overbites do not cause any harm, more serious cases need to be treated by a veterinarian to prevent future discomfort and health issues as the puppy grows.

  1. Teeth development

    • Puppies start developing teeth at about four weeks. This first set of teeth is referred to as the deciduous teeth. Puppies have 28 teeth, while adult dogs have 42. The puppy starts to loose its deciduous teeth between 2 and 3 months of age. The deciduous teeth are completely replaced by permanent teeth by about the sixth month. The incisors come first, followed by the canines, premolars and molars.

    Overbite

    • There are several conditions that may develop as a puppy's permanent teeth set in. An overbite is when the upper teeth, the maxillary, are positioned in front of the lower teeth, the mandibular, to an abnormal degree. This occurs when the lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw. Instead of the two sets of teeth interlocking with each other when closed, like a scissors, the upper teeth jut out, while the lower teeth may hit the roof of the mouth. Some dog breeds, such as collies, Dachshunds and Russian wolfhounds, are more susceptible to overbites.

    Possible problems

    • Minor cases of overbites may not cause any harm to the puppy and are only a cosmetic concern. More serious cases, however, can cause pain and make it difficult for the puppy to eat. Since the lower teeth are behind the upper teeth, they can cause damage to the upper mouth, particularly the lower incisors. Damage to the mouth's soft tissues can lead to infections and even food entering the nasal cavity when the mouth's hard palate is eroded. The puppy also may have a harder time chewing food since the teeth do not meet.

    Treatment

    • A veterinarian may recommend different treatments depending on the severity of the overbite. A puppy's overbite may correct itself because the jaw is still developing. A puppy's jaw usually finishes growing by the time the puppy is 10 months old. If the overbite is severe, the veterinarian may recommend extracting or reducing the height of the teeth that cause the most harm.