Dental Problem: Base Narrow Canines

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by MattC

What about ice cubes? coud you substitute ice cubes for the rubber ball. Not only would you not have to worry about chocking. The cold could help supress discomfort. Plus you can freeze water in any shape.

Ice cubes are an interesting idea, but I think I would have to physically hold them in place and have a "pile" of them to change out as they melted too small. Charlie likes ice too, but he can't quite figure it out. I only give him ice outside, because he leaves it on the ground and licks it until it "mysteriously" disappears (except for the puddle on the ground). LOL I've never seen him figure out how to chew on it.

That's a great idea though. Maybe ice in a towel, like I gave him when he was cutting teeth.

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by Peggy

Yup, I think I'd be asking now. At the very least I think I'd want a second opinion from one of them. Or talk with them and see who you'd like to go see.

Peggy

Ok, I've spent half of the day trying to find dog othodontists in Austin. It appears there is only one in Round Rock, which is only a few miles north of here. When I asked the receptionist if they did Orthodontics, she said, "No. I don't think we do that, let me ask." She came back and said "No, we don't." I asked if the vet could refer me to one. She put me on hold again. Came back and said, "Oh yes, we do Orthodontics." (I don't think she even asked the first time...geez!) Anyway, I asked if the vet could call me back to answer some general questions. She took my name and number. Still waiting.

I also called Texas A&M, one of the best veterinarian colleges in the country. Not much help there. The head of the animal dental specialty department won't consult with pet owners, only other veterinarians. They also did say that prices were the same as any vet clinic. I thought the treatment might be less expensive at a college of learning, where they are letting students use your dog like a lab rat (with some of the best specialists teaching/supervising).

Just for the benefit of any future forum members who may be looking for a dental specialist for your dog, I'll post a couple of my findings from several hours of research. It might save others some time.

Vets with specialized dental knowledge have either AVD, AVDC, or FAVD titles, in addition to DVM. They have attended, and are certified by the American Veterinary Dental College. If you are doing an internet search, type in "AVD, DVM, your city and/or state". If that doesn't pull, try the next acronym (i.e. AVDC, then try FAVD) etc.

I ended up with the best luck going through the 15 pages of vets in the Yellow Pages book, skimming until I found "DVM FAVD".

Here is a link to the AVDC Directory. (This list has not been updated lately. The FAVD I found close to Austin is not on the list, so he must be relatively new.)

AVDC Diplomates Directory

Hopefully this information will help others in the future. I can't believe how much work it has been to find one vet.

[MattC]

Hi Chris,
It's been a while since we had an update on Charlie's teeth. How are they coming along? Did they straighten out or are you still exploring the idea of an orthodontist?

[MyPemCharlie]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for asking. I've been meaning to post an update. I have continued to encourage him to bite down on all kinds of toys to put pressure on his teeth, and even got him to let me push directly with my thumb for about 60 seconds at a time several times a day.

His teeth have shifted outward quite a bit and are no longer pressing into the roof of his mouth. It does look to me like the teeth are pushing up on his gums, but at least they are on the outside of his bite and gumline now. His right tooth has not moved as much as the left, which looks almost normal now (left side). He seems to hold his teeth ever so slightly apart. If he "clenches" his teeth, I can see where the teeth push the gums.

He does not have any type of ulcer, bruise or any other sign of trauma to his gums. I'm planning to continue with getting him to bite into toys, and hope they move a teeny bit more outward before they are completely set in the jawline at about 10 months old. So, the short answer is, much better but still not quite right. Thank you again for asking. These pictures I just took a few minutes ago.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

His teeth have shifted outward quite a bit and are no longer pressing into the roof of his mouth. It does look to me like the teeth are pushing up on his gums, but at least they are on the outside of his bite and gumline now. His right tooth has not moved as much as the left, which looks almost normal now (left side). He seems to hold his teeth ever so slightly apart. If he "clenches" his teeth, I can see where the teeth push the gums.

He does not have any type of ulcer, bruise or any other sign of trauma to his gums. I'm planning to continue with getting him to bite into toys, and hope they move a teeny bit more outward before they are completely set in the jawline at about 10 months old. So, the short answer is, much better but still not quite right. Thank you again for asking. These pictures I just took a few minutes ago.

His gums and teeth look healthy and he doesn't seem to be in any distress so I'd keep on as you are.

Peggy

[MyPemCharlie]

I may still consider some orthodontics later if the teeth don't move from poking his gumline, but I agree. Since he doesn't seem to have pain or trauma, I'll keep working with the "toy method". We are obviously out of danger of my main conern which was the teeth poking holes into the roof of his mouth and sinus passages.

He loves to have his "pearly whites" brushed at least twice a week, usually three times. Hopefully I can help keep his teeth and gums nice and pretty for life!