Influence of Nonnutritive Sucking Habits, Breathing Pattern and Adenoid Size on the Development of Malocclusion

Resident: Roberts

Date: 6/8/11

Title: Influence of Nonnutritive Sucking Habits, Breathing Pattern and Adenoid Size on the Development of Malocclusion

Author: Gois E, Junior H, et al.

Journal: Angle Orthodontics

Volume: 78

Number: 4

pages: 647 - 654

Objective: To investigate the association of finger and pacifier - sucking habits, breathing pattern, and adenoid size with the development of malocclusion in primary dentition.

Materials and Methods: A case control study was carried out involving 300 preschool children ages 3 to 6 years, randomly selected from 10 public and 10 private schools from a large sample of 745. The case group(n=150) was made up of individuals with at least one of the following malocclusions: anterior open bite, posterior open bite, or over-jet of more than 3 mm. The control group(n=150) was made up of individuals without malocclusions. Variables were assessed through questionnaires such as: oral habits, mouth breathing analysis, and analysis of a lateral ceph to evaluate airway obstruction related to the adenoids.

Results: The risk factors for the occurrence of malocclusion in preschool children were duration of pacifier - sucking after age 2 and mouth breathing pattern. No significant associations were found between hypertrophied adenoids or finger-sucking habits and the occurrence of malocclusion due to the small number of children in this study with these conditions.

Conclusion: The presence of nonnutritive sucking habits and pacifier - sucking habits were directly associated with the presence of a malocclusion. The malocclusion in the primary dentition in preschool children was directly related to the duration of pacifier - sucking after 2 years of age and the mouth breathing pattern.