overbite

[auntidgie]

So, I just got a brand new puppy to add to the family. She's 9 weeks and really beautiful conformation except for a fairly large overbite. Though I have no intention of showing her, the vet has reccomended that if I want to try to correct her overbite, they can pull her two lower baby canines and the jaw will continue to grow. Anybody have any experienced with this procedure? does it work?

[Carol Burke]

I have heard that this may work. I guess it would be worth a try.

[frontierrots]

They don't pull the canines (or they should not) they cut them off and seal them, otherwise the other teeth will shift and there won't be room for the adult canines.

Usually though an overbite, even a 1/2" one corrects on it's own in most lines

[targonrotts]

i personally would not mess with such a young pups mouth.
overbites can fix on their own in most lines and can take up to 10 months of age to fix.the top jaw generally grows first,then the bottom catches on.
if as an adult she just stays with a slight overbite, it's no big deal.
plus..if you do ever intent to show the dog,can't get it cosmetically altered.
the pup will start teething at about 3 1/2 months old, and teeth may shift on their own, too.

[Sharon Marples]

The only reason we cut (not pull) the lower canines is if they are actually imbedding themselves in the roof of her mouth. Is this what is happening? If not, I would just leave things as they are, pulling the teeth is not going to correct the overbite if the teeth are free to move where they want during the growth of the jaws.

Do keep an eye on the lower canines tho, just make sure they are not imbedded in the roof of her mouth. This will cause soreness and will prevent the jaws from growing as they should.