title: Effect of a thin-neck pacifier on primary dentition: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of TNP resulted in better clinical measurements for in overjet and overbite compared with the continuing use of conventional or physiological pacifiers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heinrich-Weltzien
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D024343:Open Bite / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D057887:Overbite / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: child; malocclusion; open bite; overbite; pacifiers; preschool