Skeletal and occlusal characteristics in mouth-breathing pre-school children

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2004 Summer;28(4):315-8. doi: 10.17796/jcpd.28.4.hg0k800564031787.

Abstract

This study verified the influence of chronic mouth breathing on dentofacial growth and developmental in pre-school children. The study evaluated 73 children, both sexes, ranging from 3 to 6 years of age. After the otorhinolaryngological breathing diagnosis, 44 mouth-breathing children and 29 nasal-breathing children were compared according to facial and occlusal characteristics. The skeletal pattern measurements SN.GoGn, BaN.PtGn, PP.PM, Ar-Go, S-Go indicated a tendency to mouth-breathing children presenting a dolicofacial pattern. According to occlusal characteristics, only the intermolar distance showed a significant correlation with a narrow maxillary arch in mouth-breathing subjects. Based on the results of this study, mouth-breathing can influence craniofacial and occlusal development early in childhood.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cephalometry
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chin / growth & development
  • Chin / pathology
  • Dental Arch / growth & development
  • Dental Arch / pathology
  • Dental Occlusion*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malocclusion / etiology
  • Mandible / growth & development
  • Mandible / pathology
  • Maxilla / growth & development
  • Maxilla / pathology
  • Maxillofacial Development / physiology*
  • Molar / pathology
  • Mouth Breathing / complications
  • Mouth Breathing / physiopathology*
  • Nose / growth & development
  • Nose / pathology
  • Respiration
  • Sella Turcica / growth & development
  • Sella Turcica / pathology