Influence of respiratory pattern on craniofacial growth

Abstract

Nasorespiratory function and its relation to craniofacial growth is of great practical concern. Adenoid hypertrophy can cause nasal obstruction leading to mouth breathing which in turn cause a narrow maxillary dental arch and a high arched palate. There is a striking lack of scientific studies which make critical evaluation of this hypothesis difficult. Having the opinion of both dental surgeon and otorhinolaryingologist, we can see the strength of argument that adenoid obstruction can affect dentofacial structure. Here we present the study of 60 cases of adenoid hypertrophy. The aim of this study is to reveal both passionate support of and opposition to the hypothesis.