West African Journal of Orthodontics

Abstract

Background: Digit sucking is the most common oral habit in children but its influence on the hyoid bone is not well established. This study aimed to determine the effect of digit-sucking habits on the vertical and horizontal position of the hyoid bone in Nigerian children.

Methods: Thirty children (4-12 years) with a digit-sucking habit were matched for age, sex and skeletal pattern with 30 children without any oral habit. Lateral cephalometric x-rays were used to determine the hyoid position. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The percentages and frequencies of the categorical variables were determined. Assessment for data normality was carried out using Shapiro-Wilk's test. The association between categorical variables was determined using Chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Quantitative variables were analyzed and presented as means and standard deviation when normally distributed and median with interquartile range when skewed. Inferential statistics was done using the independent sample t- test to compare means.

Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There was a difference in the vertical and horizontal hyoid bone position, reflected by a significant increase in the mean values for the vertical and horizontal hyoid position in the digit-sucking group. (p<0.05). Conclusions: The hyoid bone was significantly more inferiorly and anteriorly positioned in relation to the mandible and the third cervical vertebrae respectively, (p<0.05) among children with a digit-sucking habit.