Doctors and dentists: review of a symposium

A symposium entitled "Stuffy Noses, Long Faces and Dental Malocclusion" was sponsored by the University of Toronto and attended by dentists, orthodontists and otolaryngologists. The orthodontists presented a large body of evidence which supported the view that in children, obstruction of the upper airway contributed to anomalies in facial growth and dental development. The nasal airflow laboratory reported that elevated nasal airflow resistance was encountered in 691 of 1,000 consecutive pediatric patients suspected of nasal obstruction. In more than half of those with elevated resistance the obstruction was due to mucosal swelling, while 25% were obstructed by adenoid hypertrophy and only 16% by structural abnormality. A panel discussion revealed that the orthodontic practitioners were anxious for a rapid, effective treatment in patients with nasal obstruction in order to minimize the effects on dental development. On the other hand, the otolaryngologists tended more to the view that the problems of the airway would be self-limiting and that expectant therapy was sufficient. It became evident that better communication and interchange of ideas between the various medical and dental practitioners caring for these children would be beneficial.