The Use of a Pacifier to Correct Malocclusions in Young Children

The Use of a Pacifier to Correct Malocclusions in Young Children

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of a pacifier (102 Medical Pacifier, Curaprox, Switzerland) on malocclusions like posterior crossbite, anterior open bite, larger overjet and tongue dysfunction in young children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children who are sucking the pacifier and / or baby bottle for the last 6 months in use.
• Manifesting posterior crossbite in which minium 1 tooth and/or edge to edge in the region deciduous canines and/or deciduous molars, with or without forced bite.

AND / OR

- Manifesting anterior open bite in which the overbite has negative values or edge to edge (≤ 0), with or without tongue thrust.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who are thumb- or fingersucking (or sucking other objects)
• syndromic or cleft patients
• patients with history of cranio-facial trauma, history of temporomandibular joint infection or musculo-skeletal asymmetry (e.g. scoliosis, torticollis)
• patients with systematic diseases
• patients currently under or after orthodontic Treatment
• patients with ankylosed teeth (e.g. after dental trauma).