Facilitating learning and growth through education and
collaboration with professionals in the orthodontic industry.
Executive | Lab Tech Talk

Bluegrass Habit Appliance

Category:

Appliance Purpose / Function:

The bluegrass habit appliance, is an alternative to a rake type appliance or a crib. Patients turn the roller which replaces the desire to suck the thumb.

Appliance Components:

  • Bands on the 1st permanent molars
  • .036 base arch
  • The on roller, stainless steel, or the on roller, stainless steel, or soldered to the bands

Suggested Materials:

  • Wire: Chromium Cobalt or Stainless-Steel wire
  • Solder: Silver Solder (Cadmium Free)

Options:

  • Laser welding (no solder)
  • Appliance may be made with a roller or beads
  • Occlusal rests may be added to the 1st primary molars or the 1st bicuspids

Appliance Fabrication Standards:

  • The base arch slightly o the tissue
  • The base arch touches all of the posterior teeth
  • The wire placed at the top 1/3 of the band and laying against the band for 4 to 5mm
  • The roller or beads are even with the middle third of the cuspid
  • If you have a lower arch, the crib will be as far forward as possible

Appliance Notes:

If the habit persists, it may be helpful to determine whether the habit is a simple habit or a mechanism to help the child cope with stressful events happening in his or her life.