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Bite Evaluation & Treatment

Does My Pet Need Orthodontic Treatment? Understanding Malocclusions in Dogs & Cats

You may have heard jokes about braces for dogs, but the truth is that orthodontic treatment is sometimes necessary to correct painful dental conditions in pets. At Pet Dental Center, we focus on treating malocclusions—misalignments of the teeth and jaw—to restore proper oral function and ensure your pet is comfortable and pain-free.

What Is a Malocclusion?

A malocclusion is any misalignment of the teeth or jaw that prevents a normal, healthy bite. Ideally, a pet’s upper and lower teeth should interlock perfectly, but in many cases, this does not happen. Malocclusions can occur due to:

✔️ Abnormal tooth positioning – A single misaligned tooth can cause pain or interfere with normal chewing.
✔️ Jaw asymmetry or structural abnormalities – Issues with the bones supporting the teeth can lead to more complex problems.
✔️ Breed-related traits – Many brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats, commonly have malocclusions due to selective breeding.

Why Does a Malocclusion Matter?

You might wonder—if my pet is eating normally and seems fine, do I really need to worry about a malocclusion? The answer is yes, and here’s why:

🦷 Painful Dental Contact – Many teeth in dogs and cats have sharp points, and when they are misaligned, they can press against soft tissues, leading to chronic pain and mouth injuries. Even if your pet doesn’t show signs of discomfort, they may still be in pain—animals instinctively hide discomfort.

🦷 Increased Risk of Periodontal Disease – Crowded or misaligned teeth create deep pockets where food and bacteria get trapped. Over time, this leads to plaque, tartar buildup, and early-onset periodontal disease, which can cause tooth loss and infections.

🦷 Long-Term Oral Health Problems – If left untreated, malocclusions can worsen over time, leading to difficulty eating, jaw strain, and potential long-term complications.

How Can We Help?

At Pet Dental Center, we offer a variety of orthodontic treatments designed to correct malocclusions and restore a functional, pain-free bite for your pet. Every case is unique, so we develop individualized treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcome.

If you have concerns about your pet’s bite or suspect they may have misaligned teeth, schedule a consultation with our team. Early intervention can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable, healthy life for your pet!

Orthodontic appliance for correction of a malocclusion in a dog

Corrected occlusion following removal of the orthodontic appliance

Pet Dental Center

EMAIL

Contact@petdental.center


VISIT OR CALL

Pet Dental Center

9250 Corkscrew Rd.
Suite 18
Estero, FL 33928

(239) 888-6761

HOURS OF OPERATION

8:00am-6:00pm M–Thurs
9:00am-4:30pm on Friday
CLOSED Saturday
CLOSED Sunday

Commonly Asked Questions

Does My Pet Need A Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings should be recommended based on each individual pet’s level of plaque and calculus build up and gingivitis. For some pets, cleanings may be necessary every 6 months, for others it could be every couple of years. More importantly, pets need to have routine oral evaluations with dental probing and full mouth dental radiographs no less than every 2 years and in some pets every 6 months. This includes pets who may have minimal plaque, calculus or gingivitis. It must be understood that clean teeth are not always healthy and therefore could be causing you pet pain or discomfort.

My Dog Has Bad Breath.

Bad breath is the number one symptom of advanced dental disease in pets. In most cases, bad breath in pets originates from disease causing bacteria. When pathogenic bacteria begin to flourish in the mouth, bad breath develops. It is important to have your pet’s oral health fully assessed with thorough oral examination and dental radiographs as soon as bad breath is noticed to prevent severe infections and tooth loss. These bacteria can also negatively affect other parts of the body and contribute to cardiac or renal disease.

My Pet Has Increased Risks For Anesthesia, How Can They Get The Dental Care They Need?

It is not fair to make a pet live with chronic dental pain and infection because they are considered an increased risk for anesthesia. At Pet Dental Center, we specialize in providing high level anesthesia care for geriatric pets and those with increased risks such as heart, kidney, liver, neurologic, diabetes and Cushing’s diseases. Because of our reputation for providing the highest level of anesthesia care possible, we average treating one high risk patient each day. Trust your pet with the ones who perform the most anesthesia procedures in high risk patients, Pet Dental Center.

Is It Normal For My Pet’s Teeth To Fall Out?

Baby or deciduous teeth are supposed to fall out when dogs and cats are teething, between 3 and 7 months of age. Adult or permanent teeth are present for the life of a dog and cat as long as they are healthy. If your pet is losing adult teeth there is severe dental disease. Advanced periodontal disease is the most likely cause for a pet losing teeth although dental fractures and tooth resorption are other likely causes.

What Kind Of Chews Are Good For My Pet’s Teeth?

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease at home and should be performed daily. When your pet does not accept brushing or for supplemental dental care in those pets who are getting their teeth brushed, dental chews can be a good choice. We recommend using dental chews that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. This verifies that the product has been tested in clinical trials and was shown to significantly reduce plaque or calculus. We also recommend slowly introducing dental chews by offering a reduced amount of the chew and observing your pet while chewing. This is to make sure he or she does not swallow a large portion of the chew that could lead to choking or digestive complications. Hard chew objects such as bones, hooves, antlers, thick rawhide products and plastic toys often lead to dental fractures and should always be avoided.