Do You Get Dogs With Braces?
Can dogs get braces? In veterinary dentistry and orthodontics, dog braces can effectively treat dogs with severe or life-threatening dental issues. Doggie orthodontics aims to assist a dog in chewing and eating normally, unlike human orthodontics, which is typically for cosmetic reasons.
Dog braces can treat several dental issues like crowded teeth, misaligned teeth, and lance teeth, which are upper canine teeth that abnormally point upward rather than downward.
What Happens Before and After Dog Braces?
Several breeds generally have abnormal teeth, such as overbites, underbites, or crooked teeth, making it difficult for the animal to seal its mouth or eat its food.
If your dog has teeth that, when they chew or bark, contact other teeth or soft tissue, your veterinarian will be able to offer advice on what to expect before and after dog braces.
If your dog is still young and the teeth are necessary for the years to come, your veterinarian may suggest putting braces on your dog’s teeth to correct the alignment, which will give your furry friend better overall health.
While some veterinarians may suggest pulling the obtrusive teeth, this may not be the best option if the affected teeth are necessary for the years to come.
Should I Get My Dog Some Braces?
There are many breeds of dogs with overbites, and many of these dogs have short faces or shorter snouts. This is a feature of the breed, and it shouldn’t be a problem for your dog unless those teeth are causing discomfort by grinding against other teeth or impacting soft tissue.
It’s possible that your dog received some trauma that pushes their teeth into new spaces, which aren’t good for their ability to eat properly and could be painful for them in their new position. Braces can rearrange your dog’s teeth if the new location of existing teeth affects other teeth in your dog’s mouth, such as when a tooth strikes another tooth.
If your canine does not have a proper scissor bite in which the upper teeth fill in the gaps between the bottom teeth, and if your dog does not eat due to discomfort or pain, braces may cure the issue and allow your dog to resume eating normally.
To receive the correct diagnosis, it is important to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if it stops eating due to oral pain. If your dog’s teeth are not properly aligned, they may be striking each other, which could result in cracks, or they may impact the soft palate, resulting in pain for your dog.
A dog that needs braces suffers from improper alignment of its teeth, which can lead to discomfort and even the potential for damage to the gum tissue and adjacent teeth.
How Do I Care for My Dog’s Teeth if I Decide to Give it Braces?
If braces are essential for your dog and would be beneficial to your dog, your veterinarian will advise you on treatment options for your dog. If your dog needs braces, your veterinarian may give you a few different alternatives to select from, such as placing plates in the mouth, bands, or braces.
Your dog can wind up with an orthodontic device that looks extremely different from human braces or one that looks very similar to those that people get. This is because dogs’ mouths vary in shape and size.
Your veterinarian will decide the length of time the dog needs to wear the braces and whether or not adjustments will be necessary. The veterinarian may move your dog’s crooked teeth into a less painful and more natural position with the help of braces, which would also eliminate any pain or discomfort the dog is experiencing.
It could take roughly one year for your dog’s teeth to fully erupt, at which point you can take off the braces.
Canine Conditions Treated With Braces
Braces for dogs can treat several dental issues, such as crowded teeth, misaligned teeth, and lance teeth, which are upper canine teeth that abnormally point upward rather than downward. Dogs with the following other conditions can receive braces treatment:
Linguoversion
This is a condition in which one or both of the lower jaw canines emerge internally. Dogs with long, narrow noses, like collie breeds, are more prone to linguoversion. Linguoversion hurts and prevents the mouth from properly closing.
When the disorder is severe, the canine teeth may protrude through the mouth’s roof due to their unusual positioning. Linguoversion involves either orthodontic therapy with braces or canine removal.
Overbites
This condition arises when the lower jaw is significantly shorter than the upper jaw.
Remaining Baby Teeth
If a dog’s baby teeth are still present, it may cause dental crowding, biting problems, and periodontal disease.
Surgery Aftercare
Braces help prevent teeth from drifting out of position in cases where cancer treatment necessitates the surgical removal of a part of the jaw.
How to Tell if My Pup Needs Braces
Braces on dogs are typically a diagnosis in young animals. Typically, any issues are identifiable when the dog’s permanent teeth erupt, which happens between four and six months of age. Not all puppies exhibit symptoms of mouth discomfort. Some people could seem a little head-shy.
There are numerous methods for shifting the teeth into a less uncomfortable position, depending on the state of the mouth.
This is possible in minor situations using the rubber ball treatment. Dog owners get instructions on how to place a lacrosse ball in the mouth of their canine companion; the pressure may assist shift the teeth into a more desirable position. The least expensive and riskiest choice, but it calls for a very obedient dog and a very patient owner.
Other alternatives for therapy include filing down or removing the problematic teeth. Although these quick treatments are frequently less expensive than braces, they are not without risk. Regular examinations and possible future changes are necessary for tooth shortening. Extraction is a difficult and occasionally uncomfortable oral operation.
Doctors will check the dog and ensure it is healthy enough to endure anesthesia to determine if it is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment. The procedure could involve several rounds depending on how the teeth are developing.
Doctors typically do any necessary x-rays and cleanings while the dog is on sedation. Putting on the braces can take roughly one hour and a half.
There are several sizes and styles of puppy braces. Even PetAlign, a form of Invisalign, exists. The objective is not to appear attractive while receiving treatment, unlike Invisalign. With PetAlign, veterinarians can create a model of an anesthetic animal’s teeth to create a set of interchangeable aligners.
Any appliance can move dog teeth, and the procedure takes only a little time. Dogs frequently only need to wear their braces for a few weeks or months, depending on the state of their mouth.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in Dog Braces
When deciding whether to fit your dog with braces, there are additional considerations in addition to the specific dental issue that a dog has:
Health
The ability of your dog to undergo general anesthesia, which you require to install dog braces, is a crucial consideration. If necessary, veterinary dentists can X-ray and clean the dog’s teeth while on sedation. Several rounds of anesthetic can be required, depending on your dog’s condition and how quickly its teeth move.
It doesn’t take nearly as long or involve as much work as it does in humans. Humans typically need braces for a few years, while most dogs need them for a few weeks to a few months.
Cost
Dog braces often range in price from $1,500 to $5,000. However, the price depends on some variables, such as your dog’s size, oral health, and the length of braces to use. Enrolling in pet dental insurance is one way to lower the price of dog braces.
Caring for a Canine With Braces
It is not difficult to care for dogs with braces, but you must periodically brush and check your dog’s teeth. Fortunately, you ought to be doing that frequently anyhow. Brush your dog’s teeth, use an oral antiseptic, and check the braces every day if your dog has braces.
To prevent the dental appliances from breaking off, your dog may need to consume soft food while wearing braces and shouldn’t have access to any chew toys or bones.
After removing your dog’s braces, they won’t require a retainer to keep their teeth in place and can resume enjoying their regular food and chew toys.
Alternative Options for Dog Braces
Can dogs get braces? Although the topic of whether dogs can receive braces has an affirmative response, it is still possible that your dog shouldn’t get braces. In that scenario, it’s still always worthwhile to discuss your dog’s alternatives with a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist, which may include:
According to Hale Veterinary Clinic, ball treatment is a method to treat mild cases of linguoversion-related tooth misalignment.Tooth removalFiling teeth to make them shorter
Do canines wear braces? Yes, they can, and in most instances, braces are a cheap and simple solution to fix your dog’s dental issue. Ask your veterinarian about acquiring your dog a pet insurance policy that covers necessary orthodontic procedures if cost is a problem.
How Do Dog Braces Work?
In contrast to humans, dogs typically do not have full sets of braces when they get their teeth straightened out. Because of advances in veterinary medicine, it is now possible to fit a dog with a modest set of braces, such as a bridge-like arrangement that spans over one or two teeth.
Other possibilities include orthodontic buttons that attach to elastic chains or braces that are not visible.
In severe cases, where most of the teeth are growing at extreme angles and causing or have the potential to cause health issues, you may install more than one set of braces into the dog’s mouth. This is to correct the problem.
They will laboriously relocate the dog’s tooth back into its proper position. Following the taking off braces of many dogs’ teeth, the teeth will remain in the correct alignment; therefore, the dog will not need to wear a retainer after the procedure.
After you confirm that your dog might gain advantages from having braces placed on their teeth, the dog’s regular veterinarian or a dog orthodontist will make an impression of your pet’s bite. Most of the time, an anesthetic is necessary for the dog during the process of brace application.
It can be quite an adjustment for the dog, as they will not consume any firm or dry dog food while wearing them; thus, extra care is a must while they are on the dog. Tough chew toys are strictly not for use during this period.
Food particles that lodge between the teeth and the braces can quickly lead to issues such as infection or decay, so the proprietor is responsible for ensuring that they perform daily cleanings with diligence.
The findings are encouraging. As one might reasonably anticipate, a dog will need some time to accustom to the fact that they will have this new piece of equipment in their mouth; however, dogs are exceptionally hardy and can quickly learn new things.
When you fix the misalignment, the dog will no longer experience any pain and will regain its previous level of health. You may make some changes.
Braces are commonly in place for a period ranging from six months to one year. In difficult situations of malocclusion, patients may need to wear their braces for up to two years.
What Do Dog Braces Cost?
Dog braces for overbite and other issues could cost between $1,500 and $5,000, depending on the state of the teeth and the number of anesthetic sessions they require. Owners must bring their dog in for weekly or bimonthly appointments throughout the procedure.
Recap
Can dogs get braces? A dog may require braces for different reasons. All dogs need regular dental care. Even with extreme caution, a tooth or teeth could erupt out of alignment. A dog’s tooth may occasionally develop so incorrectly that it severs into its mouth. If you take no action, a tooth growing to the side may continue to move until it protrudes into the dog’s cheek tissue.
Dogs with severely misaligned teeth may experience tremendous discomfort and have difficulty eating. There are instances where a tooth grows completely counterclockwise into a dog’s mouth. As the skin is slowly perforated, infections may also result from this, as germs can spread quickly and result in a variety of medical problems. Read our article and find out Best Toothpaste for Dogs.
In addition to repairing individual teeth, a malocclusion problem could exist. This is an improper relationship or misalignment between the two dental arches where they meet as the jaws close.
In such situations, a veterinarian orthodontist can intervene and resolve the problems.
