THE JOURNAL OF THE TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE SOCIETY

Vol. 107 No. 6                   2007

ISSN: 0037-3710      UBIC: 342-J

ABSTRACT

We measured buccal pressure and pressure on the anterior region of the palate (palatal pressure) during thumb- sucking among 3 girls (age, 9 to 11 years) with a habit of thumb-sucking. Pressure was measured using a system in which a sensitive compact pressure sensor was built into a polyethylene container. Buccal pressure was measured by creating a hard resin retention plate and fixing the system in the molar region. Palatal pressure was then measured by placing the system on the thumb. Subjects were instructed to perform their habitual thumb-sucking, and pressures were recorded using the pressure measurement system via a high-response dynamic strainmeter. Various thumb-sucking patterns and characteristic fluctuation patterns were observed. The results showed that buccal pressure varied greatly between the left and right sides, and that it fluctuated in accordance with palatal pressure. These findings suggest that measurement of buccal and palatal pressure during thumb-sucking may be useful in determining the causes of malocclusion. Key words: oral habit, thumb-sucking, buccal pressure, pressure sensor.

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