If your dog’s teeth are crooked, you can fix them much like you would a human’s. While pet orthodontics is not commonly practiced, dog orthodontists do exist. Normally, they double as pet dental care hygienists or veterinarians. Most often, dogs are given braces because they have an abnormal bite that makes it hard for them to eat. Because the process is expensive, owners do not normally request braces for their animal’s cosmetic enhancement. But if your dog has trouble eating because of an abnormal bite, then these braces could end up preventing him or her from having serious medical issues later on.

A pet orthodontist will look at your pet’s teeth to see if his or her occlusion is causing trauma in the mouth. If your pet’s occlusion is causing problems, then it could result in a tooth fracture, tooth inflammation, periodontal inflammation, serious pain in the mouth, and the death of the teeth. Your animal may stop eating because of mouth pain, which will bring on all sorts of illnesses associated with malnutrition. Your animal could also obtain anachoresis. This is a disease that is brought on by a spreading of bacteria through the blood stream. These bacteria come from the dead teeth, and could impact the heart, kidney, or liver then the germs spread through the body. All that to say, if your pet has malocclusion it could be more serious than just an unattractive bite.

Because of the dog’s facial shape and the setting of the teeth, braces for dogs aren’t easy. Your veterinarian will need to apply the braces in a special way depending on the breed of dog that you own. Some dots with long narrow noses will need a different set of braces than the dogs that have shorter wide faces. Other dogs like pugs have tiny noses, making the procedure even more complicated. Normally, you will need to wait until your pet has grown in all of his or her adult teeth before you take him or her to the pet orthodontist for an occlusal evaluation. Once the evaluation is performed, you will want to listen to your veterinarian and determine the best dental route possible for your pet.

Some dogs will fare better if the vet pulls a tooth or two to fix occlusion issues. For other dogs, braces are your best bet to keep your pet happy and healthy. If your pet’s bottom or top teeth are “base narrow,” meaning that they grow in towards the inside of the mouth, then you may want to consider an incline plane. This is a plastic mold that is fitted in your dog’s mouth to help guide the teeth outward. Dogs that have an anterior cross bite may need a maxillary arch bar placed on their teeth. This is a half-circle bar that will help to reposition the teeth so that they are in the correct position.

As with all vet procedures, dog dental work is not always successful. If you fail to take your dog in for routine orthodontic check-ups or don’t regulate the foods that he or she eats, then that pet may end up with tooth trauma, rather than a straighter smile. Make sure to choose a dog orthodontist that lives near you so that you can make all necessary appointments. If your dog orthodontist wants to move the teeth too quickly, get a second opinion. Like any human, dogs need to shift their teeth slowly to avoid pain and tooth issues. Find a local vet today to get more information on braces for your pooch.