THUMB SUCKING APPLIANCE
(Blue Grass Habit Modification Appliance)

This appliance was named and developed by the orthodontic department of the University of Kentucky, the Blue Grass State. It is the most effective and comfortable appliance ever devised to assist in termination of thumb or finger sucking habits. Thumb and finger habits are usually present from birth and are very difficult to stop. Once the patient desires to stop he or she needs a reminder and a diversion to assist this difficult task. Other appliances are uncomfortable or painful. Some appliances function with sharpened spikes to keep the thumb or finger out. Still another uses a cage to trap the digit. These appliances serve to force the patient into compliance. None of these are designed to remind or divert.

The Blue Grass Appliance provides both the reminder and diversion with comfort. It also functions as a "tongue toy" to help develop better swallowing function (almost all finger habit patients have a tongue thrust which leads to an open bite). This appliance is relatively inexpensive and does not cause stress on the patient or parents.