Aye-aye dental malocclusion
The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) has special incisors: like rodents, they grow throughout its life. This continued growth is normally offset by natural wear and tear linked to scraping the wood and searching for larvae, its charac...
What is it?
The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) has special incisors: like rodents, they grow throughout its life. This continued growth is normally offset by natural wear and tear linked to scraping the wood and searching for larvae, its characteristic feeding method.
Dental malocclusion corresponds to a misalignment between the upper and lower incisors. When teeth no longer oppose each other correctly, they no longer wear against each other. They then continue to grow without limit, which can deform the jaw, injure the mouth or prevent the animal from eating normally.
This condition is mainly encountered in aye-ayes kept in captivity, where the environment sometimes offers fewer opportunities to gnaw and wear their teeth naturally than in the wild.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
The first signs are often discreet. The owner or caregiver may notice that the pet is eating more slowly, dropping food, or seems hesitant to bite hard foods.
Over time, the incisors can become visibly too long, curved or misaligned. A tooth can even injure the gum, lip or opposite palate, creating a painful wound.
The animal may salivate more than usual, gradually lose weight, and be less active. Bad breath or swelling in the jaw may occur if a secondary infection develops.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Malocclusion can be present from birth, linked to a congenital malformation of the jaw or teeth. It can also appear later in the animal's life.
Trauma to the face, a fracture of a tooth, or abnormal bone growth in the jaw can change the position of the teeth in relation to each other.
A lack of natural wear, due to a lack of suitable supports for gnawing, also encourages the excessive lengthening of the incisors and can, ultimately, disrupt their alignment.
Animals born with a particular jaw conformation are more exposed.
A captive environment poor in wood, branches or hard materials to gnaw increases the risk, because the teeth do not wear sufficiently.
A history of facial trauma or dental fracture is also an important risk factor.
A diet that is too soft, and does not require enough chewing, can indirectly contribute to the problem.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian examines the animal's mouth, often under mild anesthesia or sedation, because a complete examination of the teeth in an awake and wary animal is difficult.
It assesses the alignment of the incisors, their length, the presence of wounds in the mouth and the condition of the gums.
Dental x-rays may be taken to view the roots of the teeth and check for underlying bone damage or deep infection.
Treatment
Management is mainly based on repeated mechanical correction of tooth length, carried out by a veterinarian trained in the dentistry of species with continuous tooth growth.
In certain severe or recurrent cases, tooth extraction may be considered.
Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed if there is an associated infection, and painkillers can relieve pain from oral injuries.
An adjustment of the diet, favoring foods that promote chewing, often completes the treatment.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Permanently providing the animal with natural supports to gnaw on, such as branches or suitable wood, helps maintain regular dental wear.
Regular veterinary follow-up, including an examination of the mouth, can identify the beginnings of misalignment before it worsens.
In breeding animals, particular attention may be paid to jaw conformation if a familial predisposition is suspected.
Possible complications
Untreated malocclusion can lead to chronic mouth injuries, local infections, and even dental abscesses.
Difficulty eating properly can lead to gradual weight loss and general weakening of the animal.
In the most severe cases, a significant deformation of the jaw can occur, making food intake permanently complicated.
When to see a veterinarian
The animal eats less or seems to avoid hard foods.
Abnormally long or visibly misaligned teeth are observed.
The animal salivates excessively or has unusual bad breath.
Weight loss or swelling in the muzzle or jaw area appears.
Prognosis
The prognosis is generally favorable if the malocclusion is identified early and monitored regularly by a veterinarian.
Repeated correction of tooth length often allows the animal to lead a normal life.
On the other hand, severe cases with significant bone deformation or chronic infections require long-term management and the prognosis is more guarded.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the aye-aye's teeth grow all their life?
As in rodents, the incisors of the aye-aye do not have a programmed end of growth. They are normally worn out by scraping wood and searching for food. Without sufficient wear, they continue to grow indefinitely.
Is malocclusion hereditary?
It can have a congenital origin, that is to say present from birth because of a particular conformation of the jaw. Other cases appear later following trauma or lack of dental wear.
Do dental treatments need to be repeated often?
Yes, in many cases the correction of the length of the teeth must be repeated regularly by the veterinarian, because the alignment problem persists even after a first intervention.
Can this disease be prevented in captivity?
Continually providing suitable wood or supports for gnawing promotes natural wear of the teeth and reduces the risk of overgrowth and misalignment.
References
WSAVA — World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 23 September 2026
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