A Modified Tongue Crib Appliance for Correction of Tongue Thrusting

Digit sucking and tongue thrusting are parafunctional habits that are commonly observed and are recognized as major etiological factors in the development of dental malocclusion. Treatment for these oral habits typically involves removal of the etiology, retraining exercises, and use of mechanical restraining appliances. A 13-year-old male patient reported a complaint of forwardly placed upper front teeth. The extraoral examination of the patient showed a convex profile, good facial symmetry, acute nasolabial angle, incompetent lips at rest, and a shallow mentolabial sulcus. Intraoral examination showed class I molar and canine relations on either side, a mild open bite tendency, a midline diastema, proclined upper and lower anteriors, an increased overjet, and tongue thrusting habit. A modification to the tongue crib was made by adding an acrylic bead in the center of the crib. The patient was trained to roll the bead posteriorly with the aim of retraining the tongue to posture away from the front teeth. Harmful forces of the tongue can result in excessive posterior teeth eruption, open bite, and increased overjet. Duration of appliance wear and type of appliance used are important considerations in treating patients with tongue thrust or open bite. A modified tongue crib was used for six months resulting in significant improvement in maxillary anterior dentition position, lip competence, arch forms, overbite, and midline diastema closure. A tongue crib is a useful tool for addressing tongue thrusting and digit-sucking behaviors by retraining the related muscles, providing physical restraint, and serving as a reminder to break the habit. It can be used in conjunction with a fixed appliance to improve its effectiveness.