Tight lip syndrome

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Tight lip syndrome is a birth condition seen in some Shar Pei puppies. The lower lip curls over the lower front teeth, especially the canines and incisors, pushing the teeth inward and making the bite misaligned. Because the upper jaw grows before the lower jaw, the lip can stop the lower jaw from growing properly and worsen the misalignment. In the 1990s, breeders favored flatter, fuller faces, which contributed to this and other facial problems, including tight lip syndrome.

Signs include a lower lip that covers the edges of the lower front teeth, tilting those teeth toward the tongue, and rubbing or biting the lip. Dogs may eat/sloppily or show discomfort around the mouth. The condition is diagnosed by a veterinarian through a physical exam.

Surgery is the main treatment. Cheiloplasty repositions the lower lip so it sits normally, usually by adjusting tissue along the gum line. After surgery, careful daily care helps keep the lip from returning to its old position. Chin skin resection removes excess skin on the chin to stop the lip from curling over the teeth, and vestibule deepening creates more space inside the mouth by making a deeper opening near the chin. The choice of procedure depends on how much of the mouth is affected and the dog’s age. Stitches are placed to hold the lip in the new position, and post-operative care is important to prevent recurrence.

Most dogs feel less discomfort and have a better bite after surgery, but there is a risk the lip may recur, so follow-up care is essential. Early surgical correction tends to give the best results. Daily gentle palpation of the area during healing helps prevent reattachment of the lip to the teeth.