Infection of the tooth root can spread to the surrounding bone and soft tissues, such as the gingiva. Image Credit: wiparat juthamanee, Shutterstock The upper jaw (maxilla) is wider than the lower jaw (mandible), and only one side of the mouth grinds food at a time. In a closed and relaxed jaw, the edges of the bottom incisors rest just behind the top incisors, meeting with the peg teeth. Rabbit incisors have a chisel-like appearance, and they regularly grind together to help keep the tips in cutting shape. The shape of the teeth undergoes a continuous process of growth and wear, which is affected by the quality of a rabbit’s diet. The growth rate of the upper and lower incisors is about 1.9 mm and 2.2 mm per week, respectively. Instead, a space called the diastema separates the incisors from the cheek teeth.Īll teeth are open rooted and grow continuously, which differs from rodents. They also have 10 premolars and 12 molars, collectively known as the cheek teeth. There are two top incisors, two bottom incisors, and a second pair of smaller incisors, known as peg teeth, located directly behind the top incisors. What Is the Normal Dental Anatomy of a Rabbit?Īdult rabbits have a total of 28 teeth. If overgrown teeth are not maintained regularly, the rabbit may have difficulty eating, lose weight, and develop other ailments, such as gastrointestinal stasis secondary to insufficient fibrous material in the diet. This condition is common in pet rabbits that lack an appropriate diet, have a calcium and vitamin D imbalance, or have injured teeth and jaws. All ages and breeds of rabbits can be affected, though the skull shape of certain rabbit breeds, like the Netherland Dwarf and Holland Lop, 1 can cause crowding of the molars and misalignment of the incisors. Improper dental wear and disease in rabbits can result in overgrown teeth. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
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