Anterior open bite self-correction after cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits: a systematic review

Non-nutritive sucking habits likely may cause occlusal changes such as anterior open bite (AOB) if they persist over extended time.

To assess if there is self-correction of AOB after cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits in children older than 4 years old, through a systematic review.

Data sources included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) databases, gray literature as Google Scholar, the database System for Information on Gray Literature in Europe (OpenGrey) and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database, also hand searches of the included studies references.

Studies assessing occlusal changes in children aged 4-12 years with AOB traits and non-nutritive sucking habits after the discontinuation of the habit were included.

Two authors independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist for quasi-experimental studies. The confidence in cumulative evidence was assessed using the GRADE criteria.

Over 3100 studies, only 5 met the inclusion criteria. There is often self-correction of AOB after discontinuing the non-nutritive sucking habit, even in cases older than 4 years old. The improvement ranged between 50 and 100%. The overall quality of evidence was very low.

AOB self-correction after discontinuing a non-nutritive sucking habit is possible, even after 4 years old, although with very low certainty in the body of evidence. It is not clear after what age the removal from the habit is unlikely to facilitate AOB self-correction.

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews code: CRD42016052171. There was no conflicting interest from the review authors.