Is the growth pattern in mouth breathers comparable with the counterclockwise mandibular rotation of nasal breathers?

• Published in: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics 2013-09, Vol.144 (3), p.341-348
• Main Authors: Franco, Letícia Paiva, Souki, Bernardo Quiroga, Pereira, Tatiana Bahia J, Meyge de Brito, Gabriela, Gonçalves Becker, Helena M, Pinto, Jorge A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bone Remodeling; Case-Control Studies; Cephalometry; Child; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mandible - growth & development; Maxillofacial Development; Mouth Breathing - physiopathology; Multivariate Analysis; Vertical Dimension
• ISSN: 0889-5406; 1097-6752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.03.025

Introduction The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate mandibular rotation and angular remodeling in mouth-breathing children compared with nasal-breathing children. Methods The sample included 55 severely obstructed mouth-breathing children (mean age, 6.1 years) and 55 nasal-breathing children (mean age, 7.3 years). The cephalograms at baseline and after 1 year were traced and measured, and superimpositions were made to determine true mandibular rotation, apparent rotation, and angular remodeling. The significance level was set at 5%. Results The mouth-breathing children had a longer face cephalometric pattern compared with nasal-breathing children. No cranial deflection differences were observed. No changes in the vertical growth pattern were observed during the 1-year period in either group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding apparent rotation (mouth breathing, −0.54°, vs nasal breathing, −0.41°). In comparison with the nasal breathers, the mouth breathers showed statistically significant lower yearly rates of counterclockwise true rotation (mouth breathing, −0.60°, vs nasal breathing, −1.31°) and angular remodeling (mouth breathing, 0.06°, vs nasal breathing, 0.87°). Conclusions Mouth-breathing children had a hyperdivergent cephalometric pattern, but against all expectations, counterclockwise true mandibular and apparent rotations were the average observations. Mouth-breathing children showed less true rotation and angular remodeling than did nasal breathers; however, apparent rotations were similar.