Veterinary Dentistry - Malocclusion Flashcards

Occlusion and Malocclusion

• Occlusion (Class 0): Normal positioning of teeth when jaws are closed.
• Malocclusion: Misalignment of teeth leading to various oral issues.

Consequences of Malocclusion

• Leads to discomfort and pain due to abnormal contact with teeth or soft tissues.
• Increases risk of periodontal disease, tooth loss, and chronic pain, often resulting in behavioral changes.
• Causes difficulty in mastication (chewing).

Prevention and Early Detection

• Conduct oral examinations starting at the first veterinary visit for puppies and kittens to spot malocclusions early.

Treatment Options for Early Detection

• Simple dental procedures like extraction or crown amputation.
• Orthodontic treatments, including braces and acrylic plates.

Consequences of Untreated Malocclusion

• Untreated malocclusion can result in permanent changes needing complex orthodontics or multiple extractions.

Recognizing Abnormal Occlusions

• Understanding normal dental anatomy is essential to identify malocclusions and prevent serious diseases.

Pinking Shears Effect

• Domestic dogs and cats display an interdigitation of teeth that creates a "pinking shears" effect, essential for normal function.

Normal Occlusion Characteristics

• Features include scissor incisor relationships, canine interlocks, premolar interdigitation, alignment of developmental grooves of carnassial teeth, consistent freeway space between arcades, and head symmetry.

Types of Occlusion

• Incisor Scissor Occlusion: Mandibular incisors rest on the cingulae of the maxillary incisors.
• Proper Canine Interlock: Mandibular canine fits into the diastema between maxillary 3rd incisor and upper canine.

Premolar Interdigitation

• Cusp tips of premolars should align with interdental spaces, allowing for efficient mastication.

Cusp Definition

• Cusp refers to the raised points on the crowns of teeth that facilitate occlusion.

Historical Context

• Human influence has led to new phenotypes in dogs and cats, sometimes compromising dental health and quality of life.

Mesocephalic Head Traits

• Characterized by a shorter mandible, proper interdigitation of canine teeth, and specific interaction between maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Types of Malocclusion

• Three classes exist (Class 1, 2, 3) based on genetic and environmental factors, classified as dental or skeletal malocclusions.

Class 1 Malocclusions Explained

• Lance Tooth: Maxillary canine(s) may be deviated and displaced, leading to dental crowding and occlusal problems.

Anterior and Posterior Crossbites

• Anterior Crossbite: Common occurrence where one or more incisors are displaced lingually to normals; linked to retained deciduous teeth.
• Posterior Crossbite: Characterized by lingual occlusion of premolars and molars; often inherited, noted in breeds like Borzoi.

Level Bite

• Represents an edge-to-edge contact of incisor teeth; this may lead to abnormal wear and inflammation if not addressed.

Crowded or Rotated Teeth

• Common in toy and brachycephalic breeds due to smaller jaw sizes and tooth crowding.

Understanding Brachygnathia and Prognathism

• Brachygnathia: Excessive shortness of one or both jaws.
• Prognathism: Abnormal protrusion of one or both jaws.

Specific Malocclusion Types

• Mandibular Brachygnathic Bite: Upper jaw significantly overextends over the lower jaw (overbite).
• Mandibular Prognathic Bite: Lower jaw protrudes forward, resulting in an underbite with specific tooth interactions.

Open Bite Definition

• An open bite occurs when teeth do not come together properly, creating spaces.

Wry Bite Characteristics

• Caused by asymmetrical growth between jaw quadrants, leading to dental malocclusions and loss of symmetry.