Orthodontic procedures are generally performed in young patients during or just after eruption of their permanent teeth. We most commonly perform orthodontic treatment to correct the position of traumatically positioned mandibular canine teeth. This procedure is most often applied to patients with linguoverted (base narrow) canine teeth, where these teeth are contacting and traumatising the roof of the mouth.
Not every patient with linguoverted canine teeth is a candidate for orthodontics. If your pet is a candidate, these treatments offers an excellent long-term solution. They have less requirement for extended follow-up than other treatments such as a crown height reduction and vital pulpotomy and is less invasive than extractions. Another advantage is that this type of procedure does not alter the size or shape of the teeth, maintaining full form and function for your pet. When treatment is successful, your pup is back to normal.
Orthodontic appliances used for treatment of linguoverted mandibular canine teeth are designed to place a lateral or labial tipping force to the malpositioned mandibular canine teeth to move them into an atraumatic position in the diastema (space) between the maxillary third incisor and canine teeth. Inclined planes and crown extensions are the most commonly used appliances. These are manufactured ‘chairside’ and applied directly to a patients teeth under anaesthetic.
Crown extensions are an acrylic/composite extension placed directly on the mandibular canine teeth. These extensions result in a lateral tipping force being applied to the mandibular canine teeth on closure of the mouth. If an appropriate force can be placed on these teeth the mandibular canines will tilt, moving the teeth into an atraumatic position. Crown extensions may also allow some force to be transferred to the maxillary canine teeth encouraging some distal movement of this tooth in patients with a slightly narrow maxillary diastema, in these patients this procedure offers an advantage over an inclined plane.
An inclined plane involves creating an appliance from an acrylic material that is bonded to the canine and incisor teeth of the top jaw. Ramps are shaped into this acrylic material, and these ramps direct the mandibular canine teeth outwards when your pet closes its mouth. These ramps are designed to aid in tipping the mandibular canine teeth labially into an appropriate position within the maxillary diastema. An inclined plane may offer a sturdier option than crown extensions and for this reason may be more appropriate in patients with stonger bite forces such as Staffy and Bull Terriers breeds.
Over a period of weeks the mandibular canine teeth are tipped outwards into their correct position, no longer causing trauma to the roof of the mouth. Once the teeth are in a suitable position the appliance is removed during a short anaesthetic.
In almost all cases, a retainer is not required unlike people that have had braces. This is due to the canine teeth locking into their correct position (canine interlock). This is a natural retainer.
For the majority of patients we perform this procedure on, treatment is uneventful. The appliance is not indestructible, and care must be taken to avoid any rough mouth play whilst it is in place. This avoids the need for any repairs and associated additional cost.
On occasion the teeth may be tipped into an appropriate position but fail to be retained. They can be too short to lock into position. If this is a concern a small more permanent crown extension may be required.
Not every patient with linguoverted canine teeth is a candidate for an inclined plane. If your pet is a candidate, this treatment offers an excellent long-term solution. It has less requirement for extended follow-up than other treatments such as a crown height reduction and vital pulpotomy and is less invasive than extractions. Another advantage is that this procedure does not alter the size or shape of the teeth so maintains full form and function for your pet. When treatment is successful, your pup is back to normal.
An inclined plane is generally created for your pup during a single anaesthetic. This involves creating an appliance from an acrylic material that is bonded to the canine and incisor teeth of the top jaw. Ramps are shaped into this acrylic material, and these ramps direct the mandibular canine teeth outwards when your pet closes its mouth. Over a period of weeks the mandibular canine teeth are tipped outwards into their correct position, no longer causing trauma to the roof of the mouth. Once the teeth are in a suitable position the appliance is removed during a short anaesthetic.
In almost all cases a retainer is not required unlike people that have had braces. This is due to the canine teeth locking into their correct position (canine interlock). This is a natural retainer.
For the majority of patients we perform this procedure on, treatment is uneventful. The appliance is not indestructible, and care must be taken to avoid any rough mouth play whilst it is in place. This avoids the need for any repairs and associated additional cost.
On occasion the teeth may be tipped into an appropriate position but fail to be retained. They can be too short to lock into position. If this is a concern a crown extension may be required. This will be placed at the time of the inclined plane being removed.
When a patient has an inclined plane in place, they are more prone to plaque build-up. A higher level of homecare during the weeks the appliance is in place is recommended. This may involve gently brushing around the appliance and using a gel/rinse to reduce the number of plaque bacteria in the mouth that can make things a little smelly!
An inclined plane can be an excellent treatment choice for the right patient. Determining if this treatment is right for you and your pet is something that we can do following a thorough assessment and discussion of all available treatment options.