Digits and Malocclusion

Question 1

Prevalence

Answer 1

F>M
Begins 3 months
15% children digit sucking habit
50% dummy sucking habit
7.5% aged 7-11

Question 2

Malocclusion aetiology

Answer 2

Depends on:
how often they suck their digit (>6hrs per day)
how hard
the age that the habit stops

Question 3

Types of malocclusion

Answer 3

AOB
Crossbite

Question 4

AOB

Answer 4

Absence of vertical overlap between upper and lower incisors

Question 5

Aetiology

Answer 5

Skeletal
Habits
Soft tissues
Iatrogenic

Question 6

Classification of AOB

Answer 6

Dental
Skeletal
Combination

Question 7

Dental AOB - DSH features

Answer 7

limited to incisor region
assymetrical
retroclination of lower incisors
proclination of upper incisors Class II Div I
over eruption of posterior buccal segments
normal skeletal pattern

Question 8

Crossbite

Answer 8

Bilateral/Unilateral posterior buccal crossbite may occur
narrowing of upper arch may occur from forces generated
Occlusal stability = forces of soft tissues, musculature of cheeks, lips, TMJ and tongue
Normally tongue sits at the hard palate
A thumb is narrower than the tongue and will not maintain the buccal force, causing a shift in balance of the forces –> narrowing the upper arch

Question 9

Crossbite management

Answer 9

Interceptive tx
behavioural management - Encourage/Praise/Avoid/Reminder

Question 10

Orthodontic tx

Answer 10

Transpalatal arch
FA (e.g., FA with inter-maxillary elastics - extrude incisors or pull them closer together/high pull headgear - intrude upper molars if OE)