498 - Utilizing Dillingham Appliance to Aid in Habit Cessation: Case Report

Oral habits in the form of digit/thumb sucking are a common occurrence in the pediatric population. The two most frequent malocclusions associated with prolonged sucking habits are anterior open bite (AOB) and posterior cross bite. This case report illustrates and discusses the use of a Dillingham appliance to aid in the cessation of a thumb sucking habit and later correction of the associated malocclusions. The patient exhibited willingness to stop the habit but found it difficult to do on his own as he used the habit to self sooth and aid in sleep, requiring constant reminders from parents to stop the habit. The patient successfuly stopped the habit after appliance delivery and his open bite and crossbites were subsequently corrected in the following months.