Treatment of thumb-sucking habit using a fixed tongue crib appliance - a case report and literature review

Abstract

A prolonged thumb sucking habit is associated with certain dental malocclusions. Numerous techniques and appliances have been reported for the treatment of thumb sucking, all having varying degrees of success. This report presents a clinical case of a seven year old female patient with thumb sucking habit and an anterior open bite. Through careful motivation, good patient compliance and a fixed tongue crib, the habit ceased and there was spontaneous correction of the anterior open bite within a treatment period of six months.