Introduction: A literature review established that the number of mouth-breathing children varies between 5-75%. Girls are more often diagnosed with this condition compared to the boys. In the 19th century Linder-Aronson established the relationship between mouth-breathing and malocclusions. The recognition of the mouth-breathing pattern and the habitual mouth breathing as factors in developing malocclusions requires prophylaxis and timely treatment.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to establish the incidence and type of malocclusions among mouth-breathing children with primary and mixed dentition.
Materials and Methods: A total of 412 children diagnosed with mouth breathing and 317 children diagnosed with habitual mouth breathing aged 3-12 years were examined. The dental occlusion of every child was assessed in the three planes of space - sagittal, transverse and horizontal in both segments - frontal and buccal.
Results: In both groups a statistically significant difference in dental malocclusions was demonstrated (p<0.001) depending on type of dentition. In both groups the vast majority of children were diagnosed with class II Angle malocclusion in both primary and mixed dentition. The children with primary dentition were more often diagnosed with class I Angle malocclusion.
Conclusion:
In both groups the most frequent malocclusions present were class II Angle, overjet, bilateral posterior crossbite, open bite within 3 mm in the frontal segment. In primary dentition the most frequent type of malocclusion was class I Angle.
(1) Cavassani VGS et al. Hábitos orais de sucção: estudo piloto em população de baixa renda. Revista Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia 2003;69(1):106-10
(2) Huber RE, Reynolds JW.: A dentofacial study of male students at the University of Michigan in the physical hardening program. Am. J. Orthodont and Oral Surg. 1946. Jan;32:(1)1-21, 91.
(3) Hultcrantz E, Larson M, Hellquist R, et al: The influence of tonsillar obstruction and tonsillectomy on facial growth and dental arch morphology. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 22(2):125-34, 1991
(4) Joshi MR, Study of dental occlusion in nasal and pro-nasal breathers in Maharashtrian children. J. All India D.A. 1964; 36:219-239,247-249
(5) Mahmood KT, Fareed T,Tabbasum R, Management of Deviated Nasal, J. Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol.3(1), 2011,918-922
(6) Linder-Aronson S, Leighton BC. A longitudinal study of the development of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall between 3 and 16 years of age. Eur J Orthod. 1983;5:47-58
(7) Linder-Aronson S, Woodside DG, Hellsing E. Normalization of incisor position after adenoidectomy. Am J Orthod 1993;103:412- 427
(8) Linder-Aronson S, Woodside DG, Lindstrom A. Mandibular growth direction following adenoidectomy. Am J Orthod. 1986 Apr;89(4):273-84.
(9) Linder-Aronson S. Adenoids. Their effect on mode of breathing and nasal airflow and their relationship to characteristics of the facial skeleton and the denition. A biometric, rhino-manometric and cephalometro-radiographic study on children with and without adenoids. Acta Otolaryngol. 1970;265(Suppl):1-132.
(10) Linder-Aronson S. Effects of adenoidectomy on dentition and nasopharynx. Am J Orthod. 1974 Jan; 65(1):1-15.
(11) Linder-Aronson, Sten and Backstrom, Arne: Comparison between mouth and nose breathing with respect to occluision and facial dimensions. A biometric study. Odont. Revy. 11:343-376, 1961
(12) Rakosi T, Schilli W. Class III anomalies: a coordinated approach to skeletal, dental, and soft tissue problems. J Oral Surg. 1981 Nov;39(11): 860-70
