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An aid to stop thumb sucking: the "Bluegrass" appliance

B S Haskell1, J R Mink

  • 1Department of Orthodontics, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, KY.

Pediatric Dentistry
|March 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

A new fixed appliance with a Teflon roller effectively manages thumb sucking in children aged 7-13. This nonpunitive device, combined with positive reinforcement, showed success in all 24 treated cases without needing reinsertion.

Area of Science:

  • Dentistry
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Thumb sucking is a common habit in children.
  • Persistent thumb sucking can lead to dental and social issues.
  • Effective management strategies are crucial for pediatric dental health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a novel nonpunitive fixed appliance for managing persistent thumb sucking.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of this appliance when used with positive reinforcement.
  • To assess the appliance's success rate and need for reinsertion in children aged 7-13.

Main Methods:

  • A fixed dental appliance featuring a Teflon roller was designed.
  • The appliance was implemented in a treatment program incorporating positive reinforcement.
  • The study involved 24 children aged 7-13 years exhibiting persistent thumb sucking.

Main Results:

  • The Teflon roller appliance demonstrated high success in managing thumb sucking.
  • All 24 children in the study achieved cessation of thumb sucking.
  • No instances required the appliance to be removed and reinserted, indicating sustained efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • The described fixed appliance is an effective and nonpunitive tool for treating thumb sucking in children.
  • Combining the appliance with positive reinforcement enhances treatment outcomes.
  • The appliance offers a reliable solution with a low complication rate for pediatric habit management.

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