Digital deformities and dental malocclusion due to finger sucking

Abstract

The habit of finger and thumb sucking in infancy usually ceases spontaneously by the age of 5 years. If the habit is not broken, serious deformities of the digit may appear along with significant disturbance of the dental occlusion. If diagnosed early, the habit can be broken and the threatening disturbances of digital growth and dental occlusion will resolve spontaneously. If not, even more complicated surgical and orthodontic measures may be required. Five such cases are reported.