Comparision of orofacial airway dimensions in subject with different breathing pattern.

OBJECTIVE

To test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the craniofacial morphology and orofacial airway dimensions between mouth breathing (MB) and nasal breathing (NB) subjects.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 34 MB subjects (mean age: 12.8±1.5 years; range: 12.0-15.2 years) and 33 NB subjects (mean 13.9±1.3 years; age range: 12.2-15.8 years) with Class I occlusion were examined. Totally, 34 measurements (27 craniofacial and 7 orofacial airway) were evaluated. Group differences were statistically evaluated by independent samples t-test at p<0.05 levels.

RESULTS

Statistical comparisons showed that 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 significantly lower in MB group when compared to NB group. However, SN-MP (p<0.01) and PP-GoGn (p<0.01) from angular measurements and S-N (p<0.05) and anterior facial height (p<0.05) from linear measurements were significantly higher in MB subjects. Among orofacial airway measurements, only upper posterior airway space was found significantly higher(p<0.001) in MB than NB subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The null hypothesis was rejected. Mouth breathing affects craniofacial morphology and orofacial airway dimensions.