Effect of a thin-neck pacifier on primary dentition: a randomized controlled trial.

Structured AbstractObjectives To evaluate changes in occlusal characteristics in the primary dentition that occur after introducing a thin-neck pacifier (TNP) to children with previously diagnosed pacifier-associated anterior open bite (AOB) and increased overjet. Setting and Sample Population Department of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Jena University Hospital, Germany. Subjects were 86 children (mean age 20.3 months) with a pacifier-associated open bite or overjet ≥2 mm. Material & Methods Randomized controlled trial. Subjects were randomly assigned: group I (n = 28), intervention group using a TNP; group II (n = 30), control group, using a conventional or physiological pacifier; and group III (n = 28), intervention group, Gold standard, weaned off pacifier. Participants were re-examined after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months by an operator, blinded for the treatment. Results After 12 months data for 63 children (mean age 33.1 months) were analyzed (I: n = 24; II: n = 22; III: n = 17). There was a significant difference between the groups regarding mean overjet (group I: 2.7 ± 0.5 mm, group II: 3.2 ± 0.7 mm, group III: 2.4 ± 0.5 mm, Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.002) and AOB (group I: −1.2 ± 0.3 mm, group II: −2.2 ± 0.3 mm, group III: −0.8 ± 0.8 mm, Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.001). The differences between group I and II regarding increased overjet (3.1 ± 0.2 mm vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 mm, Mann–Whitney, p < 0.001) and extent of AOB (−1.2 ± 0.3 mm vs. −2.2 ± 0.3 mm, Mann–Whitney, p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion Use of TNP resulted in better clinical measurements for in overjet and overbite compared with the continuing use of conventional or physiological pacifiers.