Asma Al Jobair, Sulaiman E S AlEmran.
The effect of Digit Sucking habit on Dental Occlusion in 4 to 12 year old Saudi children.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;12(3):160-5.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of digit-sucking habits on dental occlusion among 4 to 12 year old Saudi children. SUBJECT & METHODS: Forty-two children representing experimental and control groups were examined for the presence or absence of the following occlusal anomalies; molar relationship, overjet; overbite, and posterior cross bite. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the presence of Angle class II molar relationship, anterior open bite, and an increased overjet was significantly more observed among the experimental group. Whereas, the prevalence of posterior cross bite showed no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Interestingly, when the occlusal anomalies were related to the children ages, it was found that the presence of class II molar relationship and the degree of overjet in digit-sucking group had increased as the children`s age increased. However, the degree of anterior open bite in the same group of children showed a continuous decrease as the children`s age increased.

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