Maxillary Canine-Tooth Mesioversion

Body function:

Dental

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Maxillary canine-tooth mesioversion is a genetic condition affecting Shetland Sheepdogs caused by a mutation in the FTSJ3 gene. The condition causes the canine tooth to move forward into a “lance” position.

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List of affected breeds:

Genetic research has linked this gene and condition in the following breeds:

Shetland Sheepdog

A golden-haired dog with a friendly expression is looking to the side with its mouth open and tongue out, showing his teeth.

What does this mean for a dog with this trait?

Treatment may include orthodontic devices similar to braces to move teeth into a more normal position. The tooth may also be extracted, or its size may be reduced.

Symptoms

Symptoms of maxillary canine-tooth mesioversion include potential irritation or ulceration of the upper lip, as well as an inability to close the mouth completely. Dogs with the condition are at an increased risk of periodontal disease. The mutation is also associated with a smaller-than-normal body size.

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