A fixed intraoral nail biting habit-breaker appliance: A case report of a novel approach to curb onychophagia

Abstract

Onchyophagia or nail biting is the performance of repetitive actions of biting one’s nails often to the level of mutilation of the nail beds. It is a compulsive act most often seen in adolescents but may continue into adulthood, leading to deleterious consequences. Often spurred by anxiety and stress, this oral habit is not so readily addressed by patients and in turn not very much treated by dentists or physicians. This case report describes successful treatment of an adolescent patient with a nail biting habit, with an innovative intraoral fixed habit-breaker appliance.