Occlusal and orofacial myofunctional evaluation in children with anterior open bite before and after removal of pacifier sucking habit.

The aim of this study was to evaluate occlusal and orofacial myofunctional characteristics in children with primary dentition and anterior open bite, before and after removal of pacifier sucking habit. A dentist checked anterior open bite, overjet and upper intercanine distance and a speech therapist evaluated posture and tonus of lips and tongue, cheek tonus, swallowing, breathing and speech of twenty-seven 3-5 year-old children at baseline and 3 months later. Habit removal propitiated a mean reduction of 1.97 mm on anterior open bite (P < .001), promoted improvement of lip posture (P = .03), favored nasal breathing (P =. 008) and reduced the occurrence of tongue interposition during swallowing (P = .008). Lack of proper tongue rest posture was capable of preventing spontaneous correction of anterior open bite (odds ratio 17.50).