Author/Authors :
Marouane, O. Dental Surgery Department - University Hospital Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia , Ghorbel, M. Department of Removable Prosthodontics - Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia , Nahdi, M. Orthodontic Department - Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia , Necibi, A. Orthodontic Department - Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia , Douki, N. Dental Surgery Department - University Hospital Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia
Abstract :
Onychophagia is defined as a chronic habit of biting nails, commonly observed in both children and young adults. This oral habit
may lead to various medical and dental problems. To date, onychophagia is considered an unsolved problem in medicine and
dentistry. In this paper we describe an exclusive nonpunitive fixed appliance utilizing a stainless steel twisted round wire bonded
from canine to canine, in the mandibular arch, as a treatment of onychophagia. It was used successfully in young adult patients and
maintained for a month. With 9-month follow-up the treatment has satisfied the patients’ expectations which may eventually yield
promising implications of this new treatment to similar situations.
