Thumb sucking causing callus formation: An indicator for malocclusion

ABSTRACT

Background and setting: The sucking of digits has been considered to affect the occlusal development and dentition of a child. When a dentist comes across a child with severe malocclusion like over-jet, posterior cross-bite, anterior teeth spacing, etc., it is often difficult for him to decide if a child has developed a digit-sucking habit. The presence of a callus on the finger is indicative of sucking off that finger and indirectly suggests malocclusion.  
Aims and Objectives: To determine the presence of calluses on fingers of 1000 randomly picked school going children of this district, and to correlate it with the presence of malocclusion in order to counsel or treat the child early and prevent the development of malocclusion in his later years. 
Materials and Methods: 1000 school children (250 in each age group) between 2 and 6 years of age, of both sexes, were randomly picked to observe the presence of callus on their fingers. They were then asked about their finger sucking habits and finally checked for alterations in occlusion. 
Results: Of the children in the age group 2-3 years, it was found that 24% had calluses and 28% presented with malocclusion.  Callus was seen in 26% cases of the 3.1-4 years age group; of which, 94 % had finger sucking habit and 97 % of them had malocclusion. In the 4.1-5 years group, 12% had calluses; of whom, 87% had the habit and 87% presented with malocclusion. Of the 250 children in the age bracket 5-6 years, 8% had callus; 7% had the digit sucking habit, and 7% had malocclusion. 
Conclusion: The presence of a callus is a definite indication of the digit sucking; which is an indirect indicator for malocclusion.