Thumb and digit sucking are believed to cause number of changes in the dental arch and the supporting structures. The severity of the malocclusion caused by thumb sucking depends on three factors

A. Duration : The amount of time spent in that habit.

B. Frequency: The number of times the habit is activated in a day.

C. Intensity: The strength with which the habit is performed

Here are some of the effects of thumb sucking

  • labial tipping of the maxillary anterior teeth.
  • Increased overjet.
  • Anterior open bite.
  • Cheek muscles contract during thumb sucking.
  • Tongue thrust.

In mechanical treatment we can use appliances usually consist of a crib placed palatal to the maxillary incisors , these appliances called ( habit breakers ) and they can be in two types

  1. Removable habit breakers
  2. fixed habit breakers

In chemical approach we can use bitter tasting or foul smelling preparation placed on the thumb that is sucked, this can make the habit distasteful

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