A One-Year Follow up Treatment of an 8-Year Old Child with Thumb Sucking HABIT Using a New Habit Breaking Appliance: A Case Report

This report describe the management of 8 years old male child with thumb sucking habit and anterior open bite. Comprehensive diagnosis was performed and patient’s records were taken (Extra-oral and intra-oral photographs, lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs, and study models) along with impression for appliance’s fabrication. When received from the laboratory, the appliances were disinfected, fitted then cemented and adjusted in the patient’s mouth. The patient and his parent were enlightened about the advantages of the appliances, which entailed cessation of thumb sucking habit thus allowing tooth eruption and open bite closure, and giving them the instructions at time of appliance insertion. A questionnaire to test patient compliance was given to the parents every follow up. Treatment was consummated once the child ends 12 months of follow up regardless the fact that it could be achieved.

Treatment effects were evaluated by comparing pre and post treatment records along with the questionnaire answers. The report showed the patient was compliant with the appliance, with significant increase in overbite and the maxillary intercanine width. This might be the result of stop of thumb pressure on the palate. It also showed a significant reduction of lower anterior facial height. The maxillary incisors had been uprighted. The interlabial gap greatly reduced after treatment while the nasolabial angle recorded no significant change. It was concluded that the magnetic habit breaker was effective to stop the habit and help bite closure due to the appliance's dual effect and good patient acceptance.