Example appliance: Anterior crib appliance correct to a tongue thrust or digit sucking habit.
Level of evidence: Moderate
Suitable for ages: 6+ years old
Indications: Tongue thrust or digit sucking causing anterior open bite, patient is aware of problem and is motivated to stop but unable to
Treatment Objectives and Biomechanics
- Inhibition of the tongue thrusting or digit sucking forces on the anterior teeth
- Allow normal lip forces to restore correct incisor position
- Form of early treatment
Appliances / Treatment modalities
- Patient awareness and encouragement to stop
- Fixed habit appliance – crib appliance, Blue grass appliance, spur appliance
- Removable appliances
- Digit wrapping
- Speech pathologist – for any primary tongue thrusting aetiology
