China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ›› 2024, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (1): 92-101.doi: 10.19438/j.cjoms.2024.01.016

• Review Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent advances in mouth breathing diagnosis and effects on dento-maxillofacial development in children

ZHENG Yang-shan1,2, YUAN Xue-shun3, JIANG Jing4, QIU Shu-qi1,5, SHI Zhao-hui5,6   

  1. 1. Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University. Zhuhai 519041;
    2. Department of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Longgang District Central Hospital. Shenzhen 518172;
    3. Department of Orthodontics, Shenzhen Longgang District Central Hospital. Shenzhen 518172;
    4. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Shenzhen Longgang District Central Hospital. Shenzhen 518172;
    5. Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang E. N. T Hospital; Shenzhen Institute of E. N. T. Shenzhen 518172;
    6. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2023-03-21 Revised:2023-05-06 Online:2024-01-20 Published:2024-02-05

Abstract: Upper airway obstruction can lead to mouth breathing, which is much prevalent in children. Studies have indicated that in early childhood, prolonged mouth breathing leads to muscular and postural alterations which, in turn, result in dentoskeletal changes, or even worse, dentofacial deformities and sleep-related breathing disorders. A multidisciplinary team, involving otolaryngologists, dental providers, and somnologists, should work to provide early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, preventing the consequent disorders of mouth breathing. More and more studies in recent years have focused on mouth breathing diagnosis and its effects on dento-maxillofacial development as well as its possible mechanisms in children. Nevertheless, the etiology, diagnosis, treatment options, postoperative care, mechanism of mouth breathing impact on dento-maxillofacial development, and its relationship with sleep-disordered breathing remain controversial. This review summarized the latest advances in mouth breathing, demonstrating the current status and advances of research on mouth breathing diagnosis, dento-maxillofacial development, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Key words: Mouth breathing in children, Dentofacial deformity, Adenoid facies, Sleep-disordered breathing, Adenotonsillar hypertrophy

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