by David Hutto
While the sight of a child sucking the thumb may evoke an image of innocence, the harmful effects of prolonged thumb sucking can be severe. If the services of a dentist or orthodontist become necessary to address the problem, those effects involve great effort, emotional impact, and high cost.
Common Orthodontic Solutions for Thumb Sucking
Several techniques are available that attach a mechanical device by wires to the rear molars, extending to the front of the mouth. These devices work behind the upper front teeth at the roof of the mouth to disrupt the pleasure of sucking on the thumb.
Palatal Crib
The palatal crib (or intraoral crib) is similar to the hayrake appliance but contains metal rings or bars instead of spikes. These inserts are placed behind the upper front teeth for several months to disrupt the pleasure of thumb sucking. Palatal cribs typically cost $400 to $800 depending on the materials selected, degree of customization required, and individual doctor’s fees.
Benefits of the Palatal Crib
- The palatal crib provides round the clock deterrence of thumb sucking, making it particularly effective for severe cases
- The installation and use of palatal cribs is monitored by an orthodontist, providing additional support to parents who are trying to address their child’s thumb sucking habit
Drawbacks of the Palatal Crib
- Palatal cribs are an invasive solution that can lead to initial soreness and irritation following installaion
- Frequent adjustments may be required while the child wears the crib
- Palatal cribs can pose emotional and lifestyle challenges to the wearer including disruptions to eating habits, impacts on speed clarity, as well as embarrassment and stress
Hay Rake Appliance
The hay rake dental appliance has short “spikes” or prongs in the middle, just behind the front teeth, intended to cause discomfort when the thumb is inserted. Hay rake treatment packages typically cost $400 to $1000 and include the initial consultation, development of the appliance, installation, and check ups.
Benefits of the Hay Rake Appliance
- The Hay Rake dental appliance is an effective deterrent as it makes conscious and unconscious thumb sucking uncomfortable
- Hay Rake appliances are customizable to a child’s needs
Drawbacks of the Hay Rake Appliance
- Hay Rake appliances may cause initial discomfort and irritation in the mouth after they are inserted
- Children may become emotionally distressed as the hay rake appliance disrupts eating and speech as well as causing pain when they try to suck their thumb
Bluegrass Appliance
The bluegrass appliance (the name comes from being invented in Kentucky and used for horses) is a more comfortable variation on the hay rake. It is similar in the method of attachment, but instead of simply disrupting insertion of the thumb, this device also provides an alternative behavior. The bluegrass appliance contains either beads or a short Teflon roller, which can be rotated with the tongue. With this device, the child is expected to roll the tongue on the beads or roller instead of thumb sucking. The blue grass dental appliance typically costs $450 to $800 and must be implanted by an orthodontist.
Benefits of the Bluegrass Appliance
- The bluegrass appliance provides positive reinforcements through an alternative habit, gently assisting children in stopping thumb sucking
- The bluegrass appliance is less disruptive of speech and eating than other preventive orthodontic devices
- The bluegrass is customizable to each child’s needs
Drawbacks of the Bluegrass Appliance
- The bluegrass appliance may be less effective for children with very ingrained thumb sucking habits as it requires the wearer to engage with the roller
- The bluegrass appliance requires ongoing orthodontic appointments for fitting and periodic adjustments
Dental devices to correct damage from thumb sucking
If thumb sucking has not been stopped soon enough and damage occurs to the teeth or jaw, the expensive services of an orthodontist are required. There are several dental devices an orthodontist may recommend to reverse damage caused by thumb sucking.
Braces
Braces are one of the most popular methods to straighten teeth. Although there are various kinds of braces, most use brackets,a component of braces consisting of small metal or ceramic objects placed on each tooth. The brackets transfer the pressure from an attached wire to gradually pull the tooth into the desired position. Various wire systems are also available, one of the newest of which is memory wires, made from “memory” metal (developed for NASA). This wire exerts constant pressure on the brackets without the need for periodic tightening by the orthodontist. Braces typically cost $4000 to $7000 and require periodic visits with an orthodontist for adjustments.
Benefits of Braces
- Braces are highly effective at correcting open bites, overbites, and other misalignments caused by thumb sucking
- Braces are customizable to each child’s needs
Drawbacks of Braces
- braces do not directly stop the thumb sucking habits, meaning that preventive methods should still be sought out
- Braces can cause mouth soreness after intial installation and when adjustments are made
- Braces are more costly than most preventive methods and require a significant investment of time (eighteen months to 2 years) and money ($4000 to $7000)
Quad Helix Device
The quad helix dental appliance is attached behind the upper front teeth. This device uses flexible wires to apply gentle pressure which expands the upper jaw and prevents the thumb from resting against the roof of the month. Like traditional braces, the quad helix is worn for a longer duration and typically costs $1200 to $2650.
Benefits of the Quad Helix
- The quad helix device effectively addresses crossbites, corwing, and narrow palates caused by thumb sucking while discouraging the underlying habit
- The quad helix is highly customizable to children’s unique needs
Drawbacks of the Quad Helix
- The quad helix can impede normal eating patterns and speech
- Quad helixes can cause discomfort after initial implementation and periodic adjustments
- Quad helixes require a significant investment of time (eighteen months to 2 years+) and money
Looking for a simpler and cheaper thumb sucking solution?
Full orthodontic treatment, with the application of braces, may cost from $4,000 to as much as $7,000, and even a less comprehensive procedure, such as inserting a hay rake or crib, can cost hundreds of dollars. There is an alternative to requiring the services of an orthodontist because of damage from thumb sucking. It is possible to avoid hay rakes, cribs, braces and brackets, trips to the orthodontist office, and the notable expense of these services, not to mention the pain and discomfort the child will experience from having to live with these devices implanted in the mouth.
Stopping thumb sucking early means that none of this has to happen. TGuard is recognized by dentists, orthodontists, and pediatricians, as a painless and cheap method to stop thumb sucking and prevent the consequences that come from it.
Explore finger and thumb sucking solutions from TGuard today!
Sources: AOAaccess “Allesee Orthodontic Appliances (AOA)”
