Oral Sessions

Abstract

Background: Approximately 10% of children have maintained a digit sucking habit which is associated with anterior open bite and other malocclusions. Effects and costs of appliances developed to correct the oral habit and the consequent malocclusions remain controversial. Aim: To conduct a case-control study of digit sucking behaviour in a sample of 4-to-12-year-olds in Australia, with a special interest in the effect of orofacial myology management on cessation of the oral habit and correction of the consequent anterior open bite. Design: With appropriate ethics approval, patient records from a local clinic were de-identified and screened. Children having displayed digit sucking behaviour and anterior open bite were included. A 3-month management programme containing daily placement of a stomahesive wafer on the incisive papilla, behaviour shaping, reward charts and supportive phone calls was carried out. Data collected included age, gender, digit sucking behaviour and anterior open bite. A paired-samples t-test was used to examine occurrence of digit sucking behaviour and anterior open bite over the 3-month course. Results: Twenty-one (67.7%) girls and 10 (32.3%) boys completed the programme. There was no difference in age distribution between girls and boys (t = 1.434, df = 29, P = 0.162). Upon completion, twenty-six out of 31 children (83.9%) gave up digit sucking behaviour (t = 12.490, df = 30, P < 0.001). Occurrence of anterior open bite reduced from 19 patients (61.3%) to five patients (16.1%) (t = 4.971, df = 30, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The 3-month programme of orofacial myology management is effective in cessation of digit sucking behaviour and correction of digit-sucking-related anterior open bite. Future investigation is indicated.