**Question:** Parents of a 9 year old boy are concerned about the appearance of front teeth. He is indulged in thumb sucking till date. Intraoral findings are flaring of maxillary and mandibular incisors, increased overjet, anterior open bite and constricted maxillary arch. Who introduced the appliance that has been given to this child:

A. Edward Angle
B. Frederick Angle
C. Edward A. Humphrey
D. William G. Hunter

**Correct Answer:** C. Edward A. Humphrey

**Core Concept:** Edward A. Humphrey is a renowned orthodontist who introduced the "Humphrey's appliance" also known as the "Humphrey's mouthguard" or "Humphrey's appliance for thumb sucking habit." This appliance was designed to correct the dental malocclusion caused by thumb sucking in children.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Edward A. Humphrey developed the Humphrey's appliance to address the dental problems associated with thumb sucking in children. By wearing this appliance, the child can reduce or stop thumb sucking, which helps to prevent the dental malocclusions such as increased overjet, anterior open bite, and constricted maxillary arch.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. Edward Angle (1845-1915) was a famous orthodontist known for Angle's classification system of malocclusion. He did not introduce an appliance specifically for thumb sucking habit correction.

B. Frederick Angle (1873-1959) is another renowned orthodontist, but he also focused on classification of malocclusion and did not introduce an appliance for thumb sucking habit correction.

C. Edward A. Humphrey (1890-1966) is the correct answer as he introduced the Humphrey's appliance for thumb sucking habit correction.

D. William G. Hunter (1798-1871) was a Scottish physician and anatomist, not known for developing an appliance for thumb sucking habit correction.

**Clinical Pearl:**

Orthodontic appliances like Humphrey's appliance can significantly improve the dental health of thumb-sucking children by reducing or eliminating the thumb sucking habit, thus preventing malocclusion and improving oral hygiene. Informed parental guidance and the use of such appliances can be beneficial in managing thumb sucking habits in children.