S262 – Effect of Etiology of Mouth Breathing on Facial Morphology

Abstract

Objectives Nasal septal deviation and hypertrophy of the adenoids and palatine tonsils are 2 common causes of nasopharyngeal obstruction and consequently mouth breathing in children. It is accepted that chronic mouth breathing influences craniofacial growth and development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of craniofacial morphology in children with 2 different etiological factors of mouth breathing. Methods Study design:cross sectional. The research was conducted between 2005–2007 on 47 predominantly mouth-breathing patients aged 6–10 years. After otorhinolaryngologic examination and flexible nasofibroscopy, patients were divided into 2 groups based on the etiology of nasopharyngeal obstruction: group 1, with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and group 2 with nasal septal deviation. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained to assess craniofacial development. Data gained were statistically evaluated by Mann-Whitney and T-student tests. Results With respect to the inclination of the mandibular and palatal planes, anteroposterior relationship of maxilla and mandible to the cranial base, and indexes of facial height proportions, no significant differences were observed between two groups of children with mouth breathing. Only the angular ArGo. GoMe measurement was significantly larger in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (p<0.05). Conclusions The present study did not detect significant morphological differences between children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and those with nasal septal deviation. Mouth breathing seems to have a similar effect on craniofacial morphology irrespective of its etiology. Prospective studies with larger samples including older children are suggested.