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A study on the relationship between mouth breathing and facial morphological pattern
Ana Paula Bianchini1, Zelita Caldeira Ferreira Guedes, Marilena Manno Vieira
1Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santo André, SP.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|October 10, 2007
Summary
This study examined the link between oral breathing and facial types in teenagers. Researchers found no definitive association between breathing patterns and specific facial morphologies in the studied adolescent population.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Breathing significantly influences facial and cranial morphology development.
- Understanding the relationship between breathing patterns and facial types is crucial for orthodontic and pediatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential relationship between oral breathing and distinct facial types in adolescents.
- To determine if specific facial morphologies are associated with oral or nasal breathing patterns.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 119 teenagers (ages 15-18) was divided into oral breathers (n=50) and nasal breathers (n=69).
- Facial types were classified using anthropometric indexes.
- Breathing patterns and facial measurements were systematically evaluated.
Main Results:
- Facial types analyzed included Euriprosopic, Mesoprosope, Leptoprosopic, and Hyperleptoprosopic.
- The Mesoprosope facial type was most common (40.33%), with similar proportions of oral (21.01%) and nasal (19.32%) breathers.
- No statistically significant association was found between oral breathing and specific facial types.
Conclusions:
- The study could not establish a causal link or significant association between oral breathing and facial type in the adolescent sample.
- Further research may be needed to explore potential subtle correlations or confounding factors.
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