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Feline malocclusion
1Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins.
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Feline malocclusion arises from abnormal head shapes, leading to misaligned teeth and soft tissue injuries in cats. Understanding these dental and facial proportion changes is key to veterinary dental care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dentistry
- Comparative Anatomy
- Animal Science
Background:
- Feline malocclusion is a common dental condition in domestic cats.
- Altered dento-facial proportions are implicated in the development of malocclusion.
- Brachycephalic (short-nosed) and dolichocephalic (long-nosed) head types are associated with specific dental anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the relationship between feline head morphology and malocclusion.
- To explain the etiology of displaced dentition and soft-tissue trauma in cats with varying head types.
Main Methods:
- Review of veterinary literature on feline dentition and craniofacial development.
- Analysis of case studies documenting feline malocclusion in different head types.
Main Results:
- Modern feline malocclusion is characterized by deviations from normal dento-facial proportions.
- Specific head types, namely brachycephalic and dolichocephalic, correlate with distinct patterns of tooth displacement.
- Displaced dentition frequently leads to secondary complications such as soft-tissue trauma.
Conclusions:
- Feline head shape significantly influences dental alignment and occlusion.
- Understanding the impact of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic morphologies is crucial for diagnosing and managing feline malocclusion.
- Preventative strategies and treatment plans for feline malocclusion should consider the underlying craniofacial characteristics.