A 16 year old male patient presents with a complaint of gaps between his front teeth. He gives a history of digit sucking till 9 years. On examination anterior open bite is seen along with flaring of incisors. Which of these physiologic adaptation can result in malocclusion eventually
When there is an anterior open bite and/or upper incisor protrusion , as often occurs from sucking habits, it is more difficult to seal off the front of the mouth during swallowing to prevent food or liquids from escaping. Bringing the lips together and placing the tongue between the separated anterior teeth is a successful maneuver to close off the front of the mouth and form an anterior seal. In other words, a tongue thrust swallow is a useful physiologic adaptation if you have an open bite, which is why an individual with an open bite usually also has a tongue thrust swallow, but protruding the tongue between the anterior teeth during swallowing is often present in children with good anterior occlusion. After sucking habit stops, the anterior open bite tends to close spontaneously , but the position of the tongue between the anterior teeth persists for a while as the open bite closes. Until the open bite disappears, an anterior seal by the tongue tip remains necessary.
Tongue thrust
Thumb sucking
Bruxism
Mouth breathing