[Effect of the early intervention of oral habits on the development of dental occlusion]. / Efeito da interceptação precoce dos hábitos orais no desenvolvimento da oclusã.

BACKGROUND: Sucking habits are related to malocclusion. AIM: To evaluate the effect of a counseling interview about inhibiting this oral habit and, its influence on dental occlusion and labial-lingual posture. METHOD: 40 children (mean age = three years), with a sucking habit and anterior open bite, received counseling aiming for the interruption of this habit. Measurements of the open bite were made, as well as a myofunctional evaluation, prior to counseling and, three and six months after it. RESULTS: 26 children stopped with the habit of sucking, with 25 children presenting a reduction of the open bite. No change was observed in labial-lingual posture. CONCLUSION: The counseling interview favored the interruption of the oral habit and the correction of the open bite.