New Approach to Managing Onychophagia

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Onychophagia (nail biting) is a chronic oral habit.
• It affects children and young adults, causing medical and dental problems.
• Currently, onychophagia is an unresolved issue in medicine and dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel nonpunitive fixed appliance for treating onychophagia.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this appliance in young adult patients.

Main Methods:

• An exclusive nonpunitive fixed appliance was designed.
• The appliance used a stainless steel twisted round wire bonded from canine to canine in the mandibular arch.
• It was applied to young adult patients for one month.

Main Results:

• The appliance was used successfully in young adult patients.
• Treatment was maintained for one month.
• A 9-month follow-up indicated patient satisfaction with the treatment.

Conclusions:

• The described fixed dental appliance offers a promising new treatment for onychophagia.
• This approach may have significant implications for managing similar habitual behaviors.