Tongue Tamersresearched

Quick facts

Field	Value
ID	OA-0182
Type	habit
Category	habit
Fixed/removable	fixed (bonded)
Primary function	tongue thrust interruption; thumb sucking deterrence
Malocclusion target	anterior open bite from tongue thrust or thumb sucking
Manufacturer	Ortho Technology
Uses TADs	no

Overview

Tongue Tamers (Ortho Technology) are small fixed bonded habit control devices designed to interrupt tongue thrusting and thumb sucking. The appliance bonds to the lingual surfaces of upper anterior teeth (or lower, for the lower version Lower Tongue Tamers) via an 80-gauge curved foil mesh bonding base. A bead is positioned lingual to the anterior teeth to provide a tactile cue, reminding the patient to posture the tongue tip against the incisive papilla (correct tongue rest posture) rather than thrusting forward. Clinical studies confirm significant reduction in tongue thrusting behavior and improvement in anterior open bite closure over 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up.

Clinical & technical

Mechanism of action

The bonded appliance provides a physical and tactile barrier to forward tongue posturing. When the tongue attempts to thrust, it contacts the appliance rather than the incisors, interrupting the habit. The bead creates an active reminder of correct tongue posture. Because the appliance is fixed (not removable by the patient), compliance is not required — unlike removable habit appliances. Can be used simultaneously with fixed orthodontic therapy.

Indications & case selection

Anterior open bite due to tongue thrust habit; thumb sucking in children (upper application deters thumb placement); patients who have failed removable habit appliances due to non-compliance; combined with fixed orthodontic treatment; ages 6 and up.

Contraindications & limitations

Bonding to lingual surfaces requires adequate enamel and dry-field maintenance; patient may have an adaptation period (tongue soreness); size and thickness must not impede speech significantly; cannot be used if the patient has a known acrylate or metal allergy.

Design & fabrication

Components & materials

• 80-gauge curved foil mesh bonding base
• Metal body with lingual bead
• Bonds to lingual surfaces of upper anterior teeth
• No lab preparation required — chairside direct bond
• Available from Ortho Technology as pre-fabricated units

Lab fabrication notes

Tongue Tamers are pre-fabricated devices (Ortho Technology) bonded chairside — no lab work required. For lab-fabricated tongue crib equivalents, see Tongue crib and related habit appliances.

Common variants & modifications

• Tongue Tamers PLUS — updated version with modified bead design
• Lower Tongue Tamers — lower arch version Lower Tongue Tamers
• Tongue crib — fixed wire-based tongue habit appliance Tongue crib
• Bluegrass appliance — bead roller habit appliance Bluegrass appliance

Common variants & modifications

• Fixed tongue tamers: banded to upper molars via TPA; no patient

removal; 24/7 deterrence

• Removable tongue tamers: acrylic baseplate with Adams clasps;

patient can remove for hygiene

• Tongue tamers + expansion screw: combined expansion and habit

appliance (Dillingham combination expansion/habit appliance)

• Tongue tamers + palatal crib: crib added anteriorly to tamers

for combined barrier effect

• Lower tongue tamers (Lower Tongue Tamers): mandibular version for

atypical lower tongue thrust patterns

Also known as

• Tongue Tamers (tradename)_
• bonded tongue habit appliance (descriptor)
• lingual habit deterrent (descriptor)

Sources

• [Tongue Tamers — OSE

Company](https://www.osecompany.com/products/tongue-tamer/)

• [Tongue Tamers PLUS — Ortho

Technology](https://www.orthotechnology.com/shop/fixed-appliances/tongue-tamers-plus/tongue-tamers-plus/)

• [Effects of Tongue Tamers —

PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11737204/)

Research log

• 2026-06-09 — deep-research pass: Ortho Technology design, 80-gauge

mesh base, bead mechanism, clinical evidence, Lower Tongue Tamers variant.