Shar Pei Malocclusion
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December 31, 2008 by Dwight
Filed under Shar Pei Health
Let’s admit it…Malocclusion is a big word! To put it in more simple terms, malocclusion is another term for an improper bite. Breed standards are very specific and perfect bites are essential when being judged to according to breed standards.
The scissor bite is ideal for most breeds, including the Shar-Pei. Scissors bite is a bite in which the upper incisors overlap perfectly and touch the lower incisors.
There are six primary types of malocclusion:
Wry Mouth
Wry mouth is one of the worst forms of malocclusion. This disorder is associated with one side of the jaw being longer than the other side. A dog with wry mouth has difficulty grasping and chewing food. Treatment of this condition is difficult and may not even be possible. Often times, wry mouth is hereditary.
Base Narrow Canines
This condition is usually caused by retained baby teeth and can most times be corrected. Base narrow canines take place when the lower canine teeth project inward in relation to the jaw. This misalignment can cause upper palate damage.
Underbite
This condition is associated with the lower jaw being longer than the upper jaw. If the jaws meet each other edge to edge, the bite is called an even or level bite. In some breed standards, the underbite is considered to be the correct bite.
Overbite
An overbite is a condition in which the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. When the mouth is closed, there is a gap between the upper and lower incisors. Some puppies are born with an overbite that corrects itself during growth. However, in most breeds, the bites are set by the time a puppy is ten months of age. An overshot bite will rarely improve after the puppy reaches ten months of age. Extractions may be necessary with this condition, so watch overbites carefully!
Posterior Crossbite
Posterior crossibte is a condition in which one or more of the lower premolars overlaps the upper premolars. This condition primarily takes place in larger nosed dog breeds such as that of the Shar-Pei but is often a rare occurance.
Anterior Crossbite
An anterior crossbite is the most common form of malocclusions and are known to be hereditary. This condition is accompanied by one or more of the lower incisors positioned in front of the upper incisors. The bite is generally close on both sides and the condition is usually correctable.



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