Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion

The ratio of bad habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion is an important issue in view of prevention and early treatment of disorders of the craniofacial growth. While bad habits can interfere with the position of the teeth and normal pattern of skeletal growth, on the other hand obstruction of the upper airway, resulting in mouth breathing, changes the pattern of craniofacial growth causing malocclusion. Our crosssectional study, carried out on 3017 children using the ROMA index, was developed to verify if there was a significant correlation between bad habits/mouth breathing and malocclusion. The results showed that an increase in the degree of the index increases the prevalence of bad habits and mouth breathing, meaning that these factors are associated with more severe malocclusions. Moreover, we found a significant association of bad habits with increased overjet and openbite, while no association was found with crossbite. Additionally, we found that mouth breathing is closely related to increased overjet, reduced overjet, anterior or posterior crossbite, openbite and displacement of contact points. Therefore, it is necessary to intervene early on these aetiological factors of malocclusion to prevent its development or worsening and, if already developed, correct it by early orthodontic treatment to promote eugnatic skeletal growth.

Mouth breathing, "nasal disuse," and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

BACKGROUND

Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) may not completely eliminate sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and residual SDB can result in progressive worsening of abnormal breathing during sleep. Persistence of mouth breathing post-T&As plays a role in progressive worsening through an increase of upper airway resistance during sleep with secondary impact on orofacial growth.

METHODS

Retrospective study on non-overweight and non-syndromic prepubertal children with SDB treated by T&A with pre- and post-surgery clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) evaluations including systematic monitoring of mouth breathing (initial cohort). All children with mouth breathing were then referred for myofunctional treatment (MFT), with clinical follow-up 6 months later and PSG 1 year post-surgery. Only a limited subgroup followed the recommendations to undergo MFT with subsequent PSG (follow-up subgroup).

RESULTS

Sixty-four prepubertal children meeting inclusion criteria for the initial cohort were investigated. There was significant symptomatic improvement in all children post-T&A, but 26 children had residual SDB with an AHI > 1.5 events/hour and 35 children (including the previous 26) had evidence of "mouth breathing" during sleep as defined [minimum of 44 % and a maximum of 100 % of total sleep time, mean 69 ± 11 % "mouth breather" subgroup and mean 4 ± 3.9 %, range 0 and 10.3 % "non-mouth breathers"]. Eighteen children (follow-up cohort), all in the "mouth breathing" group, were investigated at 1 year follow-up with only nine having undergone 6 months of MFT. The non- MFT subjects were significantly worse than the MFT-treated cohort. MFT led to normalization of clinical and PSG findings.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of mouth breathing during sleep should be systematically performed post-T&A and the persistence of mouth breathing should be treated with MFT.

Rapid maxillary expansion in growing patients: correspondence between 3-dimensional airway changes and polysomnography

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the airway correlating airway volumes computed on cone beam computed tomography and polysomnography evaluation of oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index.

METHODS

The study group comprised 14 caucasian patients (mean age 7.1 ± 0.6 years) undergone to rapid maxillary expansion with Haas type expander banded on second deciduous upper molars. Cone beam computed tomography scans and polysomnography exams were collected before placing the appliance (T0) and after 12 months (T1). Landmarks localization and airway semiautomatic segmentation on cone beam computed tomography scans allowed airway volume computing and measurements.

RESULTS

Increases of total airway volume, oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index were statistically significant. No correlation was found among total airway volume, oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index changes between the examined timepoints.

CONCLUSIONS

Computing airway volume on cone beam computed tomography allow to measure the amount of air that flows through nasal cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx while oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index could give information about functional parameters. In the present study all three variables investigated showed statistically significant differences between T0 and T1 but no correlation was found between increases of the different variables tested.

Effects of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Mouth breathing is closely related to the facial skeletal development and malocclusion. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion in children.

METHODS

An electronic search in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE and Sigle through February 23rd, 2020, was conducted. Inclusion criteria were children under 18 years of age with maxillofacial deformities due to mouth breathing. The risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for controlled clinical trials. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used for the quality assessment. The included indicators were SNA, SNB, ANB, SN-OP, SN-PP, PP-MP, SNGoGn, MP-H, 1-NA, 1. NA, 1. NB, 1-NB, Overjet, Overbite, SPAS, PAS, and C3-H. Data concerning the mean difference in mesial molar movement and extent of canine retraction were extracted for statistical analysis. The mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed for continuous data. Review Manager 5.3, was used to synthesize various parameters associated with the impact of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion.

RESULTS

Following full-text evaluations for eligibility, 10 studies were included in the final quantitative synthesis. In Sagittal direction, SNA (MD: - 1.63, P < 0.0001), SNB (MD: - 1.96, P < 0.0001) in mouth-breathing children was lower than that in nasal-breathing children. ANB (MD: 0.90, P < 0.0001), 1. NA (MD: 1.96, P = 0.009), 1-NA (MD: 0.66, P = 0.004), and 1-NB (MD: 1.03, P < 0.0001) showed higher values in children with mouth breathing. In vertical direction, SN-PP (MD: 0.68, P = 0.0050), SN-OP (MD: 3.05, P < 0.0001), PP-MP (MD: 4.92, P < 0.0001) and SNGoGn (MD: 4.10, P < 0.0001) were higher in mouth-breathing individuals. In airway, SPAS (MD: - 3.48, P = 0.0009), PAS (MD: - 2.11, P < 0.0001), and C3-H (MD: - 1.34, P < 0.0001) were lower in mouth breathing group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the mandible and maxilla rotated backward and downward, and the occlusal plane was steep. In addition, mouth breathing presented a tendency of labial inclination of the upper anterior teeth. Airway stenosis was common in mouth-breathing children. Trial registration crd-register@york.ac.uk, registration number CRD42019129198.

Oral breathing and speech disorders in children

OBJECTIVE

To assess speech alterations in mouth-breathing children, and to correlate them with the respiratory type, etiology, gender, and age.

METHOD

A total of 439 mouth-breathers were evaluated, aged between 4 and 12 years. The presence of speech alterations in children older than 5 years was considered delayed speech development. The observed alterations were tongue interposition (TI), frontal lisp (FL), articulatory disorders (AD), sound omissions (SO), and lateral lisp (LL). The etiology of mouth breathing, gender, age, respiratory type, and speech disorders were correlated.

RESULTS

Speech alterations were diagnosed in 31.2% of patients, unrelated to the respiratory type: oral or mixed. Increased frequency of articulatory disorders and more than one speech disorder were observed in males. TI was observed in 53.3% patients, followed by AD in 26.3%, and by FL in 21.9%. The co-occurrence of two or more speech alterations was observed in 24.8% of the children.

CONCLUSION

Mouth breathing can affect speech development, socialization, and school performance. Early detection of mouth breathing is essential to prevent and minimize its negative effects on the overall development of individuals.

The effect of adenoid hypertrophy on maxillofacial development: an objective photographic analysis

Background

Deformity in the dental arc and facial skeleton by adenoid hypertrophy due to chronic mouth breathing is a well-known process. Most of the related studies have been based on cephalometric analyses. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of skeletal deformities on the soft tissue by analyzing distances and angles on photographs.

Methods

Ninety-seven children having between 25 and 100 % of adenoids, ages 4–12 years (48 boys, 49 girls), and 90 cases having 0–25 % adenoid tissue, ages 4–12 years (54 boys, 36 girls), were studied by clinical history, physical examination (including endoscopy), and standardized clinical photographs. The children and parents were asked if any of the following were present in the children: snoring, sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, poor school performance, mouth breathing during sleep, smoking parents, and restlessness during sleep.

Results

The assessment of linear and angular measurements on the clinical photographs showed, in the group having thicker adenoids compared with controls, a statistically significant increase in the distance between nasion and tip and nasion and subnasale and in the angle between Frankfort horizontal plane-gnathion-angulus mandible; there was also a statistically significant decrease in the distance between endocanthion and exocanthion and the angles between tragion-angulus mandible and gnathion and between nasion-angulus mandible and gnathion.

Conclusions

The analyses showed a significant increase in the anterior face height and increase in the angle between Frankfort horizontal plane-gnathion-angulus mandible and a retropositioned and posterior-rotated mandible due to thicker adenoids.

Trial registration

2010/140 Date: 04 January 2010.

Are distinct etiologies of upper airway obstruction in mouth-breathing children associated with different cephalometric patterns?

OBJECTIVE

To test the null hypothesis that mouth-breathing (MB) children by distinct obstructive tissues present a similar cephalometric pattern.

METHODS

The sample included 226 prepubescent children (113 MB and 113 nasal breathing (NB) controls). An ENT clinical examination, including flexible nasal endoscopy, orthodontic clinical and cephalometric examinations, was performed on the MB population. MB children were grouped into three categories, according to the obstructive tissues: 1) adenoid group (AG), 2) tonsillar group (TG), and 3) adenotonsillar group (ATG). The NB controls were matched by gender, age, sagittal dental relationship and skeletal maturation status. Lateral cephalometric radiography provided the cephalometric pattern comparisons between the MB and NB groups.

RESULTS

MB cephalometric measurements were significantly different from those of NB children, exception in the SNB° (P=0.056). All comparisons between the three groups of MB children with the NB children showed a significant difference. Finally, even among the three groups of MB children, a significant difference was observed in the measurements of the SNB° (P<0.036), NSGn° (P<0.028) and PFH/TAFH ratio (posterior facial height/total anterior facial height) (P<0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The cephalometric pattern of MB and NB children was not similar. Cephalometric measurements of the MB group differed according to the etiology of upper airway obstruction. Children with isolated hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils presented with a mandible that was positioned more forward and upward compared to children obstructed only by the enlarged adenoid.

Radiofrequency volumetric inferior turbinate reduction: long-term clinical results

The aim of our study was to assess long-term results of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of inferior turbinates (RVTR). We performed a prospective long-term longitudinal evaluation of 305 patients affected by rhinitis (114 allergic and 191 non-allergic) who were unresponsive to medical treatment and underwent RVTR (January 2004 - December 2010). Subjects were followed for a mean period of 39.70 ± 19.41 months (range 24-60). Patients completed the NOSE-scale questionnaire pre- and post-operatively after 1 month and yearly for 5-years. Recurrence was assumed if the post-operative total NOSE score increased by at least 75% during follow-up and the patient restarted medical treatments. Estimation of relapse over time was performed by Kaplan-Meyer analyses. We documented overall good satisfaction of patients regarding the procedure, with a good rate of pain control and a low rate of complications. Post-operatively there was a significant improvement in nasal stuffiness, nasal obstruction and mouth breathing (p < 0.05). We observed a worsening trend for symptoms after 36 months with progressive increasing rate of recurrences that were significantly higher in allergic than non-allergic patients (p < 0.05). We also observed a slight worsening trend of global satisfaction of patients. Our study confirms the minor discomfort and low risk of side effects of RVTR. Our data showed good efficacy of the procedure in the majority of patients for at least 36 months after surgery, and in fact in this time period the cumulative probability to remain relapse-free was up to 0.8. In the following 2 years, we observed a worse temporal trend in term of recurrence rate, and in particular in allergic patients with a significant difference vs non-allergic individuals (p < 0.05).

Dimensional changes in maxillary sinus of mouth breathers

AIMS

Nose being the primary mode of air intake in humans can be obstructed in certain conditions and mouth takes over the process of breathing. As a result, there is a reduced or complete loss of function of nose, which shows underdevelopment or stunted growth (change in form). This can lead to impaired pneumatization that can result in dimensional changes in the sinus.

OBJECTIVE

To assess volume alterations in maxillary sinus as secondary and as compensatory mechanism to altered functional matrices by comparing overall maxillary sinus volume of mouth breathers with normal breathers in the age group 12-14 years and to evaluate effect of gender on maxillary sinus volume.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Maxillary sinus volume calculated using manual segmentation method from CBCT scans of 25 normal breathers and 25 mouth breathers were compared.

RESULTS

Mean maxillary sinus volume of mouth breathers was significantly less than normal breathers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mouth breathers showed lesser maxillary sinus volume but it is still uncertain whether the reduction in the volume of maxillary sinus is because the form of the maxillary sinus is affected due to improper functioning of nasal cavity or due to the underlying pathological condition resulting in poorly growing sinus.

Association between breastfeeding and breathing pattern in children: a sectional study

OBJECTIVE

to determine the prevalence of mouth breathing and to associate the history of breastfeeding with breathing patterns in children.

METHODS

this was an observational study with 252 children of both genders, aged 30 to 48 months, who participated in a dental care program for mothers and newborns. As an instrument of data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the children's mothers assessing the form and duration of breastfeeding and the oral habits of non-nutritive sucking. To determine the breathing patterns that the children had developed, medical history and clinical examination were used. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the effects of exposure on the primary outcome (mouth breathing), and the prevalence ratio was calculated with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

of the total sample, 43.1% of the children were mouth breathers, 48.4% had been breastfed exclusively until six months of age or more, and 27.4% had non-nutritive sucking habits. Statistically significant associations were found for bottle-feeding (p<0.001) and oral habits of non-nutritive sucking (p=0.009), with an increased likelihood of children exhibiting a predominantly oral breathing pattern. A statistically significant association was also observed between a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding and a nasal breathing pattern presented by children.

CONCLUSION

an increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding lowers the chances of children exhibiting a predominantly oral breathing pattern.

Facial soft tissues of mouth-breathing children: do expectations meet reality?

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the differences between the facial soft tissue morphology of severely obstructed mouth breathing (MB) and that of predominantly nasal breathing (NB) children.

METHODS

Soft tissue measurements were performed in the lateral cephalograms of 64 severely obstructed MB children (mean age 6.7 ± 1.6) compared with 64 NB children (mean age 6.5 ± 1.3). Groups were paired by age, gender, skeletal maturation status and sagittal skeletal pattern. Based on the assumption of normality and homoscedasticity, comparison of the means and medians of soft tissue measurements between the two groups was performed.

RESULTS

The facial convexity and anterior facial height ratio of MB were similar to NB children. The upper lip of MB children was protruded, and its base was thinner compared with NB; however, the length was not affected. The lower lip was shorter and more protruded in MB children. The nasolabial angle, nasal prominence, and chin thickness were smaller in MB children.

CONCLUSIONS

The facial soft tissue of severely obstructed MB children is different than in NB children. Changes in lips, nasolabial angle, nasal prominence, and chin thickness are associated with severe airway obstruction in children.

Muscular and functional changes following adenotonsillectomy in children

BACKGROUND

It is recognized that adenotonsillar hypertrophy leads to muscular and functional changes in face, and that adenotonsillectomy is associated to improvement in this condition. However, the ideal interval one should wait until this spontaneous recovery is not well defined, neither if this recovery is expected to be complete or partial.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the muscular and functional changes in face of children prior and after adenotonsillectomy in a monthly evaluation.

METHODS

8 children aged from 4 to 6 years were prospectively studied. All patients underwent adenotonsillectomy, and were assessed before and monthly-after surgery up to 6 months, through the Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES).

RESULTS

There was a progressive improvement in OMES score in all measured parameters, including the "mobility" and "posture" sub-tests; this improvement was significant at the first month after surgery. The sub-test "function" was not affected by surgery. Improvement continued from the first to the sixth month after surgery, although it was not significant between these two periods. Additionally, all parameters remained altered after the final evaluation at six months. There was a significant correlation between the improvement in "mobility" sub-test and in total score of OMES.

CONCLUSION

We observed a partial recovery in facial muscular and functional changes following adenotonsillectomy, particularly during the first month after surgery. This improvement was especially observed in the "mobility" and "posture" sub-tests. We conclude that waiting for a spontaneous muscular and functional facial recovery during the first month post-operatively seems reasonable. Nevertheless, after this period, if the patient fails to achieve recovery, it may be advised that this child should undergo myofunctional therapy.

Prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in habitually snoring and mouth breathing children

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) - as indicated by rhinosinusitis (RS), ear infections (EI), and antibiotic consumption - in a general pediatric population and evaluate the relationship between these conditions and habitual snoring and mouth breathing during sleep.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in three medium-sized Polish cities from 2011 to 2015.

RESULTS

4837/6963 questionnaires (69.5%) were completed, returned and analyzed. Mean age of studied group was 7.07 ± 0.72 and 7.14 ± 0.73 in girls and boys, respectively. Habitual mouth breathing during sleep (MB) was reported in 907 (18.7%) children and habitual snoring (HS) in 290 (6.0%). 230/290 (79.3%) of children with HS were also MB. Both HS and MB were more prevalent in boys than in girls (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and neither was associated with BMI (p = 0.11 and p = 0.07, respectively). Habitual snoring and habitual mouth breathing were highly associated with more frequent bouts of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic use (p < 0.0001 for each parameter).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher rates of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic consumption were similarly associated with HS and MB. MB is over three times more prevalent in the pediatric population relative to HS, therefore it might be considered as a risk factor for URI and may be included in history of URI.

Radiographic adenoid evaluation: proposal of an objective parameter

Objective

The objective of the present study was to evaluate current radiographic parameters designed to investigate adenoid hypertrophy and nasopharyngeal obstruction, and to present an alternative radiographic assessment method.

Materials and Methods

In order to do so, children (4 to14 years old) who presented with nasal obstruction or oral breathing complaints were submitted to cavum radiographic examination. One hundred and twenty records were evaluated according to quantitative radiographic parameters, and data were correlated with a gold-standard videonasopharyngoscopic study, in relation to the percentage of choanal obstruction. Subsequently, a regression analysis was performed in order to create an original model so the percentage of the choanal obstruction could be predicted.

Results

The quantitative parameters demonstrated moderate, if not weak correlation with the real percentage of choanal obstruction. The regression model (110.119*A/N) demonstrated a satisfactory ability to "predict" the actual percentage of choanal obstruction.

Conclusion

Since current adenoid quantitative radiographic parameters present limitations, the model presented by the present study might be considered as an alternative assessment method in cases where videonasopharyngoscopic evaluation is unavailable.

Impact of adenotonsilectomy on nasal airflow and pulmonary blood pressure in mouth breathing children

INTRODUCTION

Adenotonsillar hyperplasia (ATH) causing upper airway obstruction (UAO) may increase pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Early diagnosis and mouth breathing (MB) management may help in cases of high PASP. Total inspiratory nasal airflow (TINAF) obtained by active anterior rhinomanometry (AARM) is a means to quantify nasal patency. This study aimed to correlate TINAF with high PASP.

METHODS

This is a prospective study involving 30 children between two and twelve years of age, with indication for adenotonsillectomy due to ATH, evaluated before and six months after surgery; and 29 nasal breathing (NB) children in the same age group. We obtained the PASP, calculated for tricuspid regurgitation, by means of a transthoracic echocardiography. We assessed nasal patency using the AARM to estimate the TINAF.

RESULTS

The mean PASP among mouth breathing children was 25.99 mmHg, with a Standard Deviation of (±) 3.27, p = 0.01 in the preoperative period; and 21.79 mmHg (±2.48; p = 0.01) in the postoperative period. Among nasal breathers, this mean value was 21.64 mmHg (±3.87, p = 0.01). The mean pre-operative TINAF was 266.76 cm³/s (±112.21, p = 0.01); and 498.93 cm³/s (±137.80, p = 0.01) after surgery. Among nasal breathers it was 609.37 cm³/s (±109.16; p = 0.01). The mean nasal patency in the preoperative period was 42.85% (±17.83; p = 0.01); and 79.33% (±21.35; p = 0.01) in the post-op. Among nasal breathers it was 112.94% (±15.88, p = 0.01). There was a significant Spearman correlation value between TINAF and PASP (r = -0.459; p = 0.01) when we analyzed all the groups.

CONCLUSION

PASP and TINAF values improved postoperatively and had an inverse correlation. This study suggests that by improving TINAF there was a decrease in PASP.

Comparison of craniofacial morphology, head posture and hyoid bone position with different breathing patterns

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in craniofacial morphology, head posture and hyoid bone position between mouth breathing (MB) and nasal breathing (NB) patients.

METHODS

Mouth breathing patients comprised 34 skeletal Class I subjects with a mean age of 12.8 ± 1.5 years (range: 12.0-15.2 years). Thirty-two subjects with skeletal Class I relationship were included in the NB group (mean 13.5 ± 1.3 years; range: 12.2-14.8 years). Twenty-seven measurements (15 angular and 12 linear) were used for the craniofacial analysis. Additionally, 12 measurements were evaluated for head posture (eight measurements) and hyoid bone position (four measurements). Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. Probability values <0.05 were accepted as significant.

RESULTS

Statistical comparisons showed that sagittal measurements including SNA (p < 0.01), ANB (p < 0.01), A to N perp (p < 0.05), convexity (p < 0.05), IMPA (p < 0.05) and overbite (p < 0.05) measurements were found to be lower in MB patients compared to NB. Vertical measurements including SN-MP (p < 0.01) and PP-GoGn (p < 0.01), S-N (p <0.05) and anterior facial height (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in MB patients, while the odontoid proses and palatal plane angle (OPT-PP) was greater and true vertical line and palatal plane angle (Vert-PP) was smaller in MB patients compared to NB group (p < 0.05 for both). No statistically significant differences were found regarding the hyoid bone position between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The maxilla was more retrognathic in MB patients. Additionally, the palatal plane had a posterior rotation in MB patients. However, no significant differences were found in the hyoid bone position between MB and NB patients.

The effect of mouth breathing on chewing efficiency

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of mouth breathing on chewing efficiency by evaluating masticatory variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten adult nasal breathers with normal occlusion and no temporomandibular dysfunction were selected. Subjects were instructed to bite the chewing gum on the habitual side. While breathing through the mouth and nose, the glucide elution from the chewing gum, number of chewing strokes, duration of chewing, and electromyography (EMG) activity of the masseter muscle were evaluated as variables of masticatory efficiency.

RESULTS

The durations required for the chewing of 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 250 strokes were significantly (P < .05) longer while breathing through the mouth. There was no significant difference in the glucide elution rate (%) for each chewing stroke between nose and mouth breathings. The glucide elution rates for 1- and 3-minute chewing were significantly (P < .05) lower while breathing through the mouth. However, there was no significant difference in the glucide elution rate for 5-minute chewing between nose and mouth breathings. While chewing for 1, 3, and 5 minutes, the chewing stroke and EMG activity of the masseter muscle were significantly (P < .05) lower during mouth breathing.

CONCLUSIONS

It takes a longer amount of time to complete chewing to obtain higher masticatory efficiency when breathing through the mouth. Therefore, mouth breathing will decrease the masticatory efficiency if the duration of chewing is restricted in everyday life.

Model of oronasal rehabilitation in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing rapid maxillary expansion: Research review

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a widely used practice in orthodontics. Scientific evidence shows that RME can be helpful in modifying the breathing pattern in mouth-breathing patients. In order to promote the restoration of physiological breathing we have developed a rehabilitation program associated with RME in children. The aim of the study was a literature review and a model of orofacial rehabilitation in children with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing treatment with rapid maxillary expansion. Muscular training (local exercises and general ones) is the key factor of the program. It also includes hygienic and behavior instructions as well as other therapeutic procedures such as rhinosinusal washes, a postural re-education (Alexander technique) and, if necessary, a pharmacological treatment aimed to improve nasal obstruction. The program should be customized for each patient. If RME is supported by an adequate functional rehabilitation, the possibility to change the breathing pattern is considerably amplified. Awareness, motivation and collaboration of the child and their parents, as well as the cooperation among specialists, such as orthodontist, speech therapist, pediatrician and otolaryngologist, are necessary conditions to achieve the goal.

Acoustic rhinometry in mouth breathing patients: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

When there is a change in the physiological pattern of nasal breathing, mouth breathing may already be present. The diagnosis of mouth breathing is related to nasal patency. One way to access nasal patency is by acoustic rhinometry.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the effectiveness of acoustic rhinometry for the diagnosis of patients with mouth breathing.

METHODS

Electronic databases LILACS, MEDLINE via PubMed and Bireme, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Science Direct, from August to December 2013, were consulted. 11,439 articles were found: 30 from LILACS, 54 from MEDLINE via Bireme, 5558 from MEDLINE via PubMed, 11 from SciELO, 2056 from Web of Science, 1734 from Scopus, 13 from PsycInfo, 1108 from CINAHL, and 875 from Science Direct. Of these, two articles were selected.

RESULTS

The heterogeneity in the use of equipment and materials for the assessment of respiratory mode in these studies reveals that there is not yet consensus in the assessment and diagnosis of patients with mouth breathing.

CONCLUSION

According to the articles, acoustic rhinometry has been used for almost twenty years, but controlled studies attesting to the efficacy of measuring the geometry of nasal cavities for complementary diagnosis of respiratory mode are warranted.

Nasal obstruction promotes alveolar bone destruction in the juvenile rat model

Background/purpose

Nasal obstruction leads to oral breathing and consequently hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hypoxia on inflammatory response and the effect on alveolar bone development in a rat model in which mouth breathing was induced by nasal obstruction.

Materials and methods

Unilateral nasal obstruction was performed by injecting a Merocel sponge into the nasal cavity of 8-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. After 3 and 6 weeks of nasal obstruction, rats were sacrificed, the organs were weighed, and the changes in mandibular bone quality were examined by micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). The stereomicroscope was used for the morphological analysis of alveolar bone loss in response to nasal obstruction. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining were employed to examine inflammation and bone remodeling induced by hypoxia.

Results

Nasal obstruction led to a delay in overall growth and organ development. The bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) of the mandible were reduced due to nasal obstruction, and the loss of the alveolar bone was confirmed morphologically. Our nasal obstruction method was observed to be successful in inducing hypoxia along with an increase in hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-α). Oral hypoxia induced by nasal obstruction increased inflammatory response, and increased expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) led to bone destruction.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that nasal obstruction induced mouth breathing led to hypoxia in a rat model. Under hypoxic conditions, an increase in osteoclast differentiation induced by activation of the inflammatory pathway causes destructive changes in the alveolar bone.

Prevalence of an incompetent lip seal during growth periods throughout Japan: a large-scale, survey-based, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Systemic and local factors may lead to disruption of craniofacial growth and development, causing an imbalance between the orofacial skeleton, muscle and soft tissue, dental occlusion, and the dental arch during growth periods. We aimed to reveal whether the prevalence of incompetent lip seal (ILS) varies with age and region, as well as to clarify the factors related to an ILS, in a national, large-scale epidemiological study.

METHODS

We surveyed 3399 children, from 3 to 12 years of age, visiting 66 pediatric dental clinics throughout Japan. For this survey, we employed a questionnaire consisting of 44 questions regarding daily health conditions and lifestyle habits. We evaluated the differences in ILS prevalence by age and region (using a Cochran-Armitage test for trend and a Kruskal-Wallis test), and the relationship between ILS and factors investigated in the questionnaire (using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient).

RESULTS

We observed that 30.7% of Japanese children exhibited an ILS and that the ILS rate increased with age (p < 0.001). There were no regional differences in the rate of ILS in Japanese children (p = 0.506). We revealed that 12 of 44 survey items exhibited a statistically significant correlation with ILS (p < 0.001), using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. These items involved orofacial morphology, mouth breathing, and possibly, allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSION

The rate of ILS seems to increase with age in children, throughout Japan. Therefore, this disorder may not self-correct during the growth periods in these children. Guidelines are required for pediatric dentists to recognize ILS among children aged 3-12 years.

Three-dimensional evaluation of hyoid bone position in nasal and mouth breathing subjects with skeletal Class I, and Class II

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study investigated the effect of breathing pattern, skeletal class (Class I, Class II), and age on the hyoid bone position (HBP) in normodivergent subjects.

METHODS

A total of 126 subjects (61 males, 65 females) aged 7-9 years and 10-12 years were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). All participants were classified according to the anteroposterior skeletal pattern into (Class I, Class II). Each skeletal group was further divided according to the breathing mode into mouth breathers (MB) and nasal breathers (NB). The HBP was measured accordingly. Independent sample t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to detect significant differences between the groups, and binary logistic regression was used to identify MB predictive indicators.

RESULTS

The breathing mode and skeletal class affected the vertical HBP in subjects with 7-9 years, while they affected the anteroposterior HBP in subjects with 10-12 years. Regarding the age effect, hyoid bone was located more anteriorly in the older NB subjects, and hyoid bone was more inferiorly in the older age group. A regression equation of the significant variables was formulated, C3-Me (P: 001, OR: 2.27), and H-EB (P: 0.046, OR: 1.16) were positively correlated with occurrence of MB.

CONCLUSION

There were significantly different HBPs among subjects with different anteroposterior skeletal classes, breathing modes, and age cohorts. Moreover, C3-Me, and H-EB were significant predictors and correlated with increased likelihood of being MB subject.

Nasal patency and otorhinolaryngologic-orofacial features in children

INTRODUCTION

Nasal obstruction is a common symptom in childhood, related to rhinitis and pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy. In the presence of nasal obstruction, nasal patency may be reduced, and nasal breathing is replaced by mouth breathing. Orofacial and otorhinolaryngologic changes are related to this breathing mode. Objective evaluation of upper airways may be obtained through nasal patency measurement.

OBJECTIVE

To compare nasal patency and otorhinolaryngologic-orofacial features in children.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty three children, 6-12 year-old, and of both sexes underwent speech therapy evaluation, according to Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation protocol, clinical and endoscopic otorhinolaryngologic examination and nasal patency measurement, using the absolute and predicted (%) peak nasal inspiratory flow values.

RESULTS

Lower values of absolute and estimated peak nasal inspiratory flow values were found in children with restless sleep (p=0.006 and p=0.002), nasal obstruction report (p=0.027 and p=0.023), runny nose (p=0.004 and p=0.012), unsystematic lip closure during mastication (p=0.040 and p=0.026), masticatory speed reduced (p=0.006 and p=0.008) and altered solid food swallowing (p=0.006 and p=0.001). Absolute peak nasal inspiratory flow was lower in children with pale inferior turbinate (p=0.040), reduced hard palate width (p=0.037) and altered speech (p=0.004). Higher absolute values were found in children with increased tongue width (p=0.027) and, higher absolute and predicted (%) in children with mild everted lip (p=0.008 and p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Nasal patency was lower in children with restless sleep, rhinitis signs and symptoms, hard palate width reduced and with changes in mastication, deglutition and speech functions. It is also emphasized that most of the children presented signs and symptom of allergic rhinitis.

The effect of mouth breathing on exercise induced fall in lung function in children with allergic asthma and rhinitis

OBJECTIVES

Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) represents a common feature of childhood asthma which is most commonly revealed during free running. On the other hand aerobic exercise shows significant beneficial effects in asthmatics especially on the reduction of the level of systemic inflammation and is recommended as part of its treatment. The aim of this study was to test how mandatory mouth breathing influences the exercise induced level of decrease in lung function according to the level of severity of allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODS

Free 6-minute running test preceded and followed by spirometry done with and without a nose clip a day apart was conducted in 55 children with moderate persistent asthma and AR. Children were divided into two groups according to the severity of nasal symptoms.

RESULTS

There was a greater fall in forced expiratory volume in one second after exercise with a nose clip in children with less nasal symptoms than in children with more nasal symptoms (mean ± SD; -5.28 (7.91) vs. -0.08 (4.58), p = 0.0228) compared to testing without the nose clip (mean ± SD; LNS, -1.31 ± 3.89%, p = 0.2408; MNS, -1.47 ± 3.68%, p = 0.2883).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that regular mouth breathing due to nasal congestion may lessen the degree of EIB in patients with persistent AR and allergic asthma.

Do breastfed children have a lower chance of developing mouth breathing? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Determine the association between breastfeeding and the development of mouth breathing in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven databases were searched for studies investigating the association between the type of feeding and the development of the breathing pattern in children. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed, with the calculation of the prevalence and likelihood (odds ratios (95% CI)) of mouth breathing according to the duration of breastfeeding.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of mouth breathing was 44% (95% CI: 38-49) (N total = 1182). Breastfeeding was a protection factor against the development of mouth breathing (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.93). The likelihood of developing mouth breathing was 41% and 34% lower among children that were breastfed for more than 12 and more than 24 months, respectively. No association was found between exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months and the occurrence of mouth breathing (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.31-1.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the scarcity of cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria and the low certainty of the evidence, no strong evidence-based conclusion can be drawn. However, breastfeeding should be encouraged due to its possible protective effect, evidenced by the substantial reduction in the prevalence of mouth breathing pattern when performed for up to 2 years. Exclusive breastfeeding was not associated with the development of the breathing pattern.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results reveal that breastfeeding can protect children from the development of mouth breathing. Thus, healthcare providers should offer support so that mothers feel prepared and encouraged to perform breastfeeding.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registry: CRD42017062172.