Allergic rhinitis as a possible risk factor for malocclusion: a case-control study in children

Prolonged oral respiration is known to cause postural alterations, which can lead to dental malocclusions. Allergic rhinitis, a common cause of upper airway obstruction in children, must therefore be seen as a possible risk factor in the development of malocclusions.

Aim of this study was to investigate the association between allergic rhinitis and malocclusions in primary and early-mixed dentition.

A case-control study was carried out involving 275 Italian children aged 5-9. The case group and the control group were composed of 125 individuals affected by malocclusions and by 150 healthy patients, respectively. Through a questionnaire, we assessed the presence of professionally diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Data were analysed to identify associations between these variables and the presence of malocclusions.

Children with a history of allergic rhinitis had a threefold increased risk to develop one or more dento-skeletal alterations [OR = 3.16; 95% CI (1.79-5.58), P < 0.001]. Statistically significant associations were found between allergic rhinitis and the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet. No significant association was found for anterior openbite.

Allergic rhinitis is a significant risk factor for the development of malocclusions in general and is associated with the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet.