Oral Habits & Parafunctional Behaviors Flashcards

Which parafunctional habit is most strongly associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and myofascial pain?

Answer: Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)

Bruxism generates excessive repetitive forces on the TMJ and masticatory muscles, making it the parafunctional habit most closely linked to TMJ disorders and myofascial pain.

What is the primary orofacial development concern when pacifier use continues beyond age 2?

Answer: Malocclusion, particularly anterior open bite and posterior crossbite

Prolonged pacifier use beyond age 2 is primarily associated with anterior open bite and posterior crossbite due to continuous mechanical pressure on the developing dental arches.

Habitual lower lip biting or sucking most commonly produces which dental finding?

Answer: Proclination of maxillary incisors and retroclination of mandibular incisors

Habitual lower lip sucking traps the lower lip behind the upper incisors, pushing upper teeth forward (proclination) and tipping lower teeth backward (retroclination).

Which behavioral modification technique is most commonly recommended as first-line treatment for thumb sucking in cooperative children?

Answer: Positive reinforcement with reward charts

Positive reinforcement through reward charts and praise is the recommended first-line behavioral approach for habit elimination in cooperative children, supporting intrinsic motivation before more invasive methods.

A palatal crib or 'hay rake' appliance is primarily designed to interrupt which oral parafunctional habit(s)?

Answer: Tongue thrusting and thumb/digit sucking

The palatal crib is a fixed or removable orthodontic appliance that physically blocks digit access and eliminates the suction reward while simultaneously interrupting forward tongue thrust.

Chronic mouth breathing as a parafunctional resting pattern most commonly leads to which orofacial change?

Answer: Narrowing of the maxillary arch with a high-vaulted palate

Chronic mouth breathing removes normal tongue pressure from the palate, allowing buccal muscles to narrow the maxillary arch and promote development of a high-arched palatal vault.

The term 'interdental tongue posture at rest' refers to which condition?

Answer: The tongue resting between the upper and lower anterior teeth

Interdental tongue posture at rest describes the tongue lying between the upper and lower anterior teeth as a resting position, which can perpetuate or worsen an anterior open bite.