Dentofacial Morphology and Upper Respiratory Function in 8-10-year-old Children

Objectives: The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the nature of associations between selected dentofacial morphological variables and respiratory mode as measured by percent nasality (%N) as part of an ongoing longitudinal study.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting And Sample Population: The Pediatric Clinical Study Center, Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH. Ninety-eight normal children were tested.

Experimental Variable: Normal variation in %N.

Outcome Measure: Selected dentofacial morphological variables including total and lower anterior face heights, face width, and palatal arch width and %N were estimated.

Results: Small associations between morphologic features and respiratory mode were found, but none were statistically significant.

Conclusion: No evidence exists for the classic association between 'mouth breathing' and the stereotype of the 'adenoid facies'.