Effects of current and former pacifier use on the dentition of 24 to 59 month old children

Resident’s Name: Chad Abby Date: 4/17/2009
Article title: Effects of current and former pacifier use on the dentition of 24 to 59 month old children
Author(s): Steven M. Adair, Michael Milano, Isabel Lorenzo, Carl Russell
Journal: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 17:7
Month, Year: 1995
Major topic: pacifier use
Minor topic(s): effects of current and former pacifier use on the dentition
Type of Article: Scientific article
Main Purpose: purposes of this study include: compare the occlusions of 24-59 mnth old current and former pacifier users to children of the same age with no pacifier habits, the effects on the occlusion of conventional pacifiers and functional exercisers, the effects of pacifier use time on the occlusion, differences between current and former pacifier users, and differences between pacifier use patterns of European-Americans and African-Americans.
Overview of method of research: 218 children ages 24-59 months participated in a study. A questionnaire was used to gain info on habit hx. 82 children were current or former users of functional exercisers, 38 had a hx of conventional pacifier use, and 98 had no hx of oral habits. Primary canine relationships, terminal plane relationships, overbite and openbite, overjet, and posterior crossbite were all recorded.
Findings: It has been reported that non-nutritive sucking habits occurs between 61 and 95%. The prevalence of malocclusions among children with the habit has been reported to be 38-94%. Anterior opentbites have been reported in as many as 74%. Increased overjet has been noted in 79% of pacifier users. An increased prevalence of class 2 canines and distal step primary molars also has been reported.
Key points/Summary: It was found that children with a history of pacifier use had a significantly larger mean overjet, as well as significantly higher occurrence of class 2 primary canines, distal step molars, openbite, and posterior crossbite compared to children with no habit. Pacifier use time in months was significantly higher for children with openbite and posterior crossbite. Compared to former pacifier users, those with current habits had a significantly higher prevalence of openbite and posterior crossbite, and a greater mean openbite. African-American and European-American children began their habits at about the same age and used their pacifiers for an equivalent number of hours per day. Among those who discontinued their habits, African –American children had a maintained theirs for a significantly shorter period, leading to a longer elapsed time between habit discontinuation and the examination.
Assessment of article: What are functional exercisers? I suppose they are a non-conventional pacifiers