Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate possible links between competitive swimming during the growth phase and the development of the dentoalveolar arches.MethodsThe study sample included 100 swimmers and a control group of 100 age-matched non-swimmers who had never practised swimming or related sports. Subjects who had had previous orthodontic treatment were excluded. Overjet, overbite, sagittal and transverse parameters, arch dimension, crowding and oral habits were recorded.ResultsIn the swimmers, there was a significantly higher frequency of molar symmetry (P = 0.04), together with a greater number of Class I subjects. The overjet in the swimmers was mainly normal, but the arch dimensions were significantly wider (+10% in the upper arch; P < 0.001). Similarly, the swimmers showed significantly less severe crowding (P < 0.001) and significantly reduced oral habits (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur data and analysis demonstrate that competitive swimming during the growth phase has a favourable effect on dental arch development in the sagittal, vertical and transverse planes.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to investigate possible links between competitive swimming during the growth phase and the development of the dentoalveolar arches
In a study that looked at the correlations between orofacial muscle activity and craniofacial morphology, Lowe [15] showed that low values for the genioglossus muscle were correlated with an open bite and short total face heights, with low values for the masseter muscle associated with low overbite measurements
He concluded that the interdependence of the tongue and jaw muscle activity and facial morphology suggested a contribution of the musculature to the development of the dentition
Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate possible links between competitive swimming during the growth phase and the development of the dentoalveolar arches. Swimming is recommended in children to promote harmonic development in all of the body districts. It involves respiratory training, in which deep inspirations are followed by long expirations that are controlled by the lips. These actions might have positive effects on maxillary development, according to the functional matrix theory [1,2]. Several studies have shown the contributions of the tongue to morphological maxillary growth [4,5,6], whereby when the tongue posture and action are not correct, this can provide the origin of dentoalveolar modifications [7,8,9,10]
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