[Role of prolonged sucking in the development of dento-skeletal changes in the face. Review of the literature]. / Ruolo del succhiamento protratto nell'insorgenza di alterazioni dento-scheletriche del distretto facciale: revisione della letteratura.

Thumbsucking is the earliest and most common habit in children, affecting almost the 45% of young population in the world, from birth through adolescence. Infantile digital sucking and other non-nutritive sucking habits have been significantly correlated with malocclusion in both primary and permanent dentitions. The severity of malocclusions correlated with such habits depends on the frequency, the duration, the intensity and the position of the thumb in the mouth. Prolonged fingersucking may cause an anterior open bite, diastema, proclination and protrusion of maxillary incisors, increased overjet and overbite, retrusive position of mandible, posterior cross-bite. Self correction of malocclusions may occur if the habit is discontinued before 4 y.o.