Avaliação do biotipo facial em pacientes com respiração oral ou mista

Abstract

Currently, the high Western’s population incidence of respiratory diseases may compromise the nasal airway, leading to changes in the normal development of both the face and the skull. The Ricketts’ cephalometric analysis is a very useful orthodontic method in diagnosing and outlining a treatment plan as well as following the progress made in each case. Moreover, this method allows the determination of an individual’s characteristic facial biotype. When treating children it estimates the tendency of their craniofacial structures growth. This thesis’s objective was to conduct a pilot study in 50 children, aged 6 to 10 years old, in order to diagnose their facial biotype and to assess the existence of respiratory system disorders responsible for the development of mixed or oral breathing, instead of nasal. Additionally, diagnose of the of airway’s obstruction etiology was attempted. The author completed a full clinical history of the individuals and applied a questionnaire to determine their breathing type. The determination of their facial biotype was accomplished using the Ricketts cephalometric analysis. Finally, the individuals who presented mixed breathing were subjected to a diagnostic evaluation of the E.N.T. (ear-nosethroat). This study found: a high prevalence of respiratory diseases in the population studied and the association between mixed breathing and the development of the dolicofacial biotype. This result was statistically significant.

Date of Award	10 Oct 2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Armandino Alves (Supervisor) & Cláudia Pinto (Co-Supervisor)