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Non-Nutritive Suck Parameters Measurements Using a Custom Pressure Transducer System
Published on: April 19, 2024
Malocclusions and non-nutritive sucking habits: a preliminary study
Valeria Luzzi1, Marinella Guaragna, Gaetano Ierardo
1Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Director Prof. A.Polimeni, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. v.luzzi@tiscali.it
Progress in Orthodontics
|November 15, 2011
Summary
This study examined non-nutritive sucking habits in children with malocclusions. While some trends were observed, no statistically significant associations were found between pacifier or finger sucking and dental issues like anterior openbite or posterior crossbite.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Oral Health
Background:
- Non-nutritive sucking habits, such as pacifier or finger sucking, are common in children.
- These habits have been anecdotally linked to the development of malocclusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between non-nutritive sucking habits and malocclusions in pediatric dental patients.
- To analyze the prevalence of increased overjet, anterior openbite, and posterior crossbite in relation to sucking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 81 children (average age 5.9 years) with typical malocclusions was studied.
- Data on pacifier use and finger/thumb sucking were collected via parental questionnaires.
- Prevalence of increased overjet (OVJ), anterior openbite (OPB), and posterior crossbite (CRB) was recorded.
Main Results:
- Among pacifier users over 24 months, 40.4% had anterior OPB, 50% posterior CRB, and 39.4% increased OVJ.
- Children with finger/thumb sucking showed 40.4% anterior OPB, 29.2% posterior CRB, and 42.4% increased OVJ.
- No statistically significant associations were found between the types of malocclusions and the non-nutritive sucking habits.
Conclusions:
- The study found no statistically significant link between non-nutritive sucking habits and malocclusions.
- While anterior openbite showed no habit-specific differences, pacifier sucking was more prevalent in posterior crossbite, and finger sucking in increased overjet.
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