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Underbite
Underbite
Also known as a Class 3 occlusion, an underbite can result in a painful tooth-to-tooth contact or tooth-to-gum contact for your dog.
Originally published by Stephen Juriga, DVM · part of the AOSN network.
Signs you might notice
What you need to know
One or both lower canine teeth can strike an upper incisor tooth or gum tissue.
What you need to know
Normal for some breeds like the Boxer, Boston Terrier, and Bulldog.
What you need to know
Breeds like Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Maltipoo, and Cavoodle seem to be more prone to tooth-tooth contact.
What's really going on
An underbite or class 3 occlusion is a concern when there is tooth-to-tooth or tooth-to-gum contact. In some breeds, this is their “normal occlusion” like the Boxer, Boston Terrier, and Bull Dog breeds. However, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Maltipoo, Cavoodle and other breeds can have one or both lower canine teeth that strike the upper incisor tooth or gum tissue.
How it may look
How a specialist helps
Selective extraction of the least functionally important tooth to allow the other tooth to erupt into a non-traumatic position. In some cases, orthodontic therapy is performed to tip a tooth into a non-traumatic position.
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