Forces Generated During Plush Animal Pacifier Use: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

Purpose: Plush animal pacifiers (detachable weighted stuffed animals) have gained popularity. Although pacifiers have well-known benefits, they can also affect the development of the cranio-facial-respiratory complex. The purpose of this study was to study the forces gener- ated on the maxillary arch region during the use of plush animal pacifiers.

Methods: Products were tested using an Instron model 1011 machine. A fixture was developed to standardize the testing of the various brands. Each item tested was suspended on a pin eight mm from the pacifier shield, and the position of the Instron pushing apparatus was standardized throughout the testing.

Results: Generated forces from all Plush animal pacifiers tested fell in the range of 0.47 N to 0.7 N (47.9 g to 71.4 g). The force of the pacifier alone fell in the range of 0.05 N to 0.2 N (5.1 g to 20.4 g).

Conclusions: When toy plush animals are attached to a pacifier, the forces transmitted to the nipple of the pacifier can exceed the 0.4 N minimum force (100 g equals 0.98 N) required to cause orthodontic tooth movement.