Finger Sucking: A longitudinal Study of Its Prevalence, Duration and Malocclusion Consequences
1998 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 93-100
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1998 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 93-100
The influence of the finger sucking on the occlusion is quite evident as described by many authors. However, extensive research and considerable controversy exist concerning many aspects of the finger sucking habits, especially with regard to treatment age. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of the finger sucking habit on the occlusion and to evaluate the spontaneous correction of the malocclusion which might occur in children who had been weaned of their habit on a longitudinal basis in children from 18 to 60 months of age. The data used in the present study were recorded during serial study of 512 children who attended a public health center in Kunitachi-city, Tokyo, for regular dental examination at 18,24,36, and 60 months of age. The registration of malocclusion was made and the parents were interviewed regarding their children's finger sucking habit, present or stopped.
There were 42 children who persisted in finger sucking from 18 to 60 months of age, and there were 33 children with experience of finger sucking from 18 to 36 months of age but stopped thereafter. In contrast to this, there were 192 children out of all of the subjects, with no history of any type al habit from 18 to 60 months of age.
Those children with persistent finger sucking from 18 to 60 months of age, the percentage of open bite and maxillary protrusion was 31.0% and 16.7% respectively at 60 months of age. A spontaneous correction was observed however among children those with experience of finger sucking to 36months of age but who stopped thereafter. It can be seen that both open bite and maxillary protrusion accounted for 24.2% at 36 months of age but those percentages decreased to 3.0% at 60 months of age. It is suggested that the treatment of finger sucking should be postponed until 3 years of age and it is reasonable to advise parents that spontaneous correction takes place after habit cessation during 36 to 60 months of age.
