Introduction

• Rostral cross-bite may be hereditary and is sometimes associated with persistent deciduous incisors  , crowding of upper incisors, or trauma pushing upper permanent incisors caudally (rare).
• Rostral cross-bite may be as a result of maxillary incisors being caudally displaced or mandibular incisors being rostrally displaced. One or several teeth may be affected.
• Can be corrected by orthodontic manipulation but, as possibly hereditary, inform Kennel Club.
• Generally not dysfunctional problem therefore ethics of treatment questionable as may not be in best interest of dog to correct.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Inherited - seen in brachycephalic breeds and some small breed dogs.
• Trauma (rare) - often associated with evidence of dental trauma as well (enamel defects, abnormally shaped tooth crown).

Predisposing factors

• Brachycephalic breeds.

Pathophysiology

• Generally neither dysfunctional nor painful. In some cross-bite cases tip-to-tip occlusion is present and known to cause discomfort in man. Affected teeth may require treatment or extraction to create a comfortable bite.

Timecourse

• May be inherited. May only become evident in adult dentition.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes