3 Popular Habit Appliances for Children

As infants, children can begin to develop certain habits that, if continued, may disrupt the development of their permanent teeth. Thumb sucking is a common habit that is developed in infancy and carries through to the toddler stage. While most children eventually drop the habit, some do not. This is where using habit appliances for children can help. They are easy to use and comfortable for the child. When worn properly, they discourage the habit, so it does not continue. The following three habit appliances have been proven to be quite beneficial.

Thumb Crib Appliance

A thumb crib appliance is used to stop a child from sucking their thumb. It also helps to correct sucking habits. The crib is designed to prevent the child from sucking their thumb and prevent many of the effects that may be the result of thumb sucking in the past. The appliance anchors to two of the child’s molars (one on either side) while the crib portion prevents them from sucking their thumb.

Simple Spring Appliance

A simple spring appliance is used if a child has an anterior crossbite. This type of crossbite occurs in the front of the mouth and throws off the child’s jaw’s alignment. Even a mild crossbite can become painful over time as the edges of the child’s teeth begin to wear abnormally. Most crossbites will develop over time, but some may occur naturally. The earlier you can correct them, the less damage there will be to the child’s teeth. The simple spring appliance gently adjusts the alignment and holds the teeth in place, correcting any abnormality.

Nance Appliance

The Nance appliance is an upper bilateral space maintainer. This type of appliance goes on the upper teeth and is used to prevent crowding. A space maintainer is often used if teeth are coming in too close together. The appliance may also be used if a child has lost a tooth and other teeth are trying to shift into its place. The space maintainer keeps the other teeth in their natural position while the child’s permanent tooth grows in.

If you live in Greensboro, NC, and have questions about habit appliance and whether or not your child will benefit from them, call the office of Sona J. Isharani, DDS. Dr. Sona Isharani specializes in dental habit appliances for children and can give you the answers you are looking for. If you are a new patient, call (336) 804-8668. Existing patients should call (336) 282-7870 to schedule an appointment.