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Influence of non-orthodontic intervention on digit sucking and consequent anterior open bite: a preliminary study
Boyen Huang1, Carla Lejarraga2, Christopher S Franco3
1School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Non-orthodontic intervention (NOI) effectively helped children aged 4-12 cease digit sucking habits. This intervention also significantly reduced anterior open bites and overjet, demonstrating clinical relevance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Digit sucking is a common habit in children.
- Persistent digit sucking can lead to occlusal problems such as anterior open bite and increased overjet.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of non-orthodontic intervention (NOI) in habit cessation.
- To assess the impact of NOI on occlusal outcomes in children aged 4-12.
- To establish the clinical relevance of NOI in managing digit sucking habits.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 91 patient records from Australian clinics.
- Inclusion criteria: children aged 4-12 with digit sucking habits.
- Data collected over two visits, 4 months apart, using standard clinical procedures.
Main Results:
- 89.6% of children ceased digit sucking after a 4-month NOI.
- Anterior open bite prevalence decreased from 51.4% to 16.7%.
- Mean overjet reduced from 4.2 mm to 3.1 mm.
Conclusions:
- NOI is clinically relevant for habit cessation.
- NOI effectively addresses anterior open bite and reduces overjet.
- Further research is recommended to explore long-term effects.
Objectives:
This study aimed to assess behavioural and occlusal outcomes of non-orthodontic intervention (NOI) in a sample of children, 4-12 years of age, in Australia, in order to establish clinical relevance.
Materials And Methods:
Data from 91 patient records of 4- to 12-year-old children reporting a habit of digit sucking, from two clinics in north-eastern Australia, were de-identified and used. Each patient had been examined at two visits, separated by an interval of 4 months, using standard clinical procedures.
Results:
Of the 77 children who received a 4-month NOI, 69 (89.6%) had ceased their digit sucking habit by the end of the NOI period [χ2=67.0, degrees of freedom (d.f.)=1, P<0.001]. Of the 72 subjects who had front teeth, the number with anterior open bite decreased from 37 (51.4%) to 12 (16.7%) upon completion of NOI (χ2=21.3, d.f.=1, P<0.001). Among the 32 patients with a measurable overjet, the mean overjet was found to decrease from 4.2±2.4 mm to 3.1±1.9 mm after implementation of NOI (t=5.8, d.f.=31, P<0.001). Children who received NOI were more likely to quit the digit sucking habit in the 4-month period (P<0.001, OR=51.8, 95% CI: 9.8-273.9) and were more likely to appear without anterior open bite at a 4-month recall (P<0.001, OR=30.0, 95% CI: 5.9-151.6).
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated clinical relevance of NOI on the cessation of a digit sucking habit, closure of anterior open bite and reduction of overjet. Further investigations are indicated.
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