Damage to the primary dentition resulting from thumb and finger (digit) sucking

Resident’s Name: Anna Haritos Date: May 1, 2009
Article title: Damage to the primary dentition resulting from thumb and finger (digit) sucking
Author(s): Fukuta, et al.
Journal: Journal of Dentistry for Children
Volume (number): 63
Month, Year: Nov – Dec 1996
Major topic: digit habits
Minor topic(s): age to eliminate digit habits
Type of Article: research article
Main Purpose(s): to investigate the influence of thumb and finger sucking on malocclusion (both the anterior and posterior sections of the primary dentition in three age groups (3, 4 and 5 yrs))
Overview of method of research: retrospective chart review (2018 charts); habit was determined from parent and patient reports that had been documented in the chart. 930 subjects met the inclusion criteria: no oral habits, only indulged in digit sucking, complete primary dentition, no permanent dentition, no dental caries, restorations or missing teeth. Of these 930 subjects, 671 had no history of oral habits, and 259 had oral habits. The following data was obtained: anterior overjet and overbite, mesial, flush or distal step of second primary molars. Hypothesis: higher incidence of overjet and overbite in oral habit group than non-oral habit group.
Findings: Of the original 2018 charts, 59.8% had no oral habit, while 40.2% had an oral habit. Maxillary protrusion was significantly higher in 3 year old digit suckers than 3 year olds without a digit sucking habit. In three to five year olds, the digit sucking group had a significantly higher frequency of open bite than the non-digit sucking group. Variations of terminal plane types were not significant between the two groups in 3 and 4 year olds; however of the 5 year olds, distal steps were significantly more frequent in the digit sucking group than the non digit sucking group.
Key points/Summary: Anterior open bite and maxillary protrusion represent the most frequent malocclusion associated with digit sucking. Potential that posterior occlusion damage is a late manifestation of the digit habit. Age of cessation should be at 3 to 4 years of age, before the terminal plane begins to change from the habit.
Assessment of article: good article to confirm anticipatory guidance used by the clinician