Implicações da respiração oral no crescimento da face

Abstract

Introduction: mouth breathing is a common breathing disorder and a public health problem as it induces changes and instability at dental, muscle and bone levels, modifying the facial growth and development of each individual. Objectives: determine the prevalence of children and teenagers with nasal, oral and mixed breathing; determine their predisposition to a particular facial biotype (lower facial height); verify the relationship of breathing pattern with lower facial height (facial growth) and establish an association between these and oral habits and respiratory problems. Methodology: a cross observational study was made to observe children and teenagers aged 6 to 16 years old of both sexes. In this study, it has been performed an enquiry to gather information about oral habits and respiratory problems, as well as the tests of mirror, water and lip seal to verify the breathing pattern and, finally, the direct cephalometry with a digital caliper to determine the lower facial height. Statistical data analysis was accomplished using SPSS® v.21.0.0.0 software, with a significance level of 5%. Results: it has been requested the participation of 618 children and teenagers and only 248 were included in the study, since 69 didn’t fill the inclusion criteria and 301 parents didn’t authorized. The mean age was 10,05 years, being 52,8% male. From the sample in study, 40,3% had a mixed pattern of breathing, as any children/teenager have been found with an exclusive oral breathing; 40,7% of participants showed an increased lower third/lower facial height. The most prevalent oral habit was the baby bottle/feeder use (83,9%); the prevalence of allergies was 29,0% and 16,1% of respiratory disorders. Conclusion: it was established an association between breathing pattern and lower facial height, since 78% of oral breathers had an increased lower facial height; no association between breathing pattern and lower facial height with sex and age was observed; it was established an association between breathing pattern and lower facial height with the “maintenance of open mouth” and habits of "snoring", "sleeping with the mouth open" and "drooling over night."

Date of Award	30 Jul 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Armindo Alves (Supervisor)