[ Post a Response | Leavitt Bulldog Association ]
Posted by Freedombulls
on November 4, 2009, 4:34 am, in reply to "Re: Wry Jaw"
85.144.149.229
Here is a link where you can read the hole book if you like about veterinary dentisstry.
veterinary dentisstry
have fun
Step 1 Observe the symmetry of the head, face, and teeth.
Step 2 Count the teeth. The teeth are divided into 4 quadrants. Upper and lower left; Upper and lower right. There are 3 upper left incisors; 1 upper left canine; 4 upper left premolars; 2 upper left molars. It is the same for the upper right teeth. There are 3 lower left incisors; 1 lower left canine; 4 lower left premolars; 3 lower left molars . It is the same for the lower right teeth. Total teeth in an adult canine should be 42.
Step 3 Evaluate the incisors. The normal incisor occlusion has the large cusp ( a pointed or rounded protuberance making up a divisional part of the chewing surface of a tooth) of the lower incisors occluding near the cingulum (the lingual lobe of an anterior tooth; lingual refers to the surface of the tooth facing the tongue) on the lingual side of the upper incisors. The large cusps of the central incisors should be centered with each other. The second and third incisors lose their centered orientation and the large cusp of the third incisor should be in the interproximal space (space between adjoining teeth) between the second and third maxillary incisors (maxillary refers to the upper jaw). All the incisors should be in an evenly curved line with no rotation. Rotation would mean that the tooth is not seated properly on the jaw bone. The axis of the tooth should be parallel to the jaw.
Step 4 Observe the relationship of the canine teeth. The mandibular canine or "fang" tooth should occlude buccal (toward the cheek tissue) to the gingiva of the maxilla and should divide the space between the maxillary canine tooth and the maxillary third incisor. This is the most reliable reference point in the mouth.
Step 5 Observe the relationship of the premolars. The large cusp on the lower fourth premolar should divide the space between the upper third and fourth premolars.
Step 6 Observe the occlusal plane of the upper and lower arches. The occlusal surface is the surface of the tooth that faces the opposite dental arches' chewing surface. The premolars should interdigitate from the second premolars back to the cusps of the upper fourth premolar with overlapping of the cusp tips. The molars should occlude to allow the cusps to function in crushing. The premolars and molars should be aligned mesial (toward the center line of the dental arch) to distal ( position on the dental arch farther from the median line of the jaw) in a slightly curved line with none of the teeth rotated.
After evaluating the teeth and their relationship to the jaw, the dentition can be categorized into the following types of occlusions. The normal occlusion is a "scissor bite." This is the pattern in which the lower incisors occlude next to the cingulum (lingual lobe of an anterior tooth) on the lingual surface of the upper incisors.
Dogs with a Class 1 occlusion have a normal occlusion with one or more teeth out of alignment or rotated. The following bites are Class 1: 1) the anterior crossbite where one or more of the lower incisors are anterior (situated in front of) to the upper incisors and the rest of the teeth occlude normally; 2) the level bite where the upper and lower incisors occlude cusp to cusp ("butt bite"); and 3) the base narrow bite where the tips of the mandibular canine teeth are displaced lingually (toward the tongue) and occlude on the hard palate.
Dogs with a Class 2 occlusion have the lower premolars and molars positioned behind the normal relationship. This occlusion may also be termed brachygnathism, overshot, "parrot mouth," retrusive mandible, or distal mandibular excursion.
Dogs with a Class 3 occlusion have the lower premolars and molars positioned ahead (anterior) of the normal relationship. This occlusion may also be termed prognathism; undershot; "Bulldog bite"; protrusive mandible; or mesial mandibular excursion.
An unclassified bite is the "wry bite." An abnormal occlusion caused by a difference in length of the two maxillae (upper jaw bones) and the mandibles (lower jaw bones). The abnormal occlusion results in a variety of different jaw relationships as one side of the jaw grows faster than the other and distorts or "twists" the mouth giving it a "wry" appearance. This condition is quite a handicap and leads to difficulty in grasping and chewing food as well as retrieving game.
It is only when we as dog handlers, breeders, and/or judges evaluate the dog's entire mouth that we can effectively understand how genetics and the environment are affecting the dog's dentition. Each dog should have a good oral exam to determine any health concerns or breeding considerations.
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http://www.leavittbulldogassociationeurope.com/74
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