P. Niemi, Saara Markkanen, M. Helminen
Dec 1, 2019
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Journal
American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim was to study the association between snoring and development of occlusion, maxillary dental arch, and soft tissue profile in children with newly completed deciduous dentition. METHODS Thirty-two (18 female, 14 male) parent-reported snorers (snoring ≥3 nights/week) and 19 (14 female, 6 male) nonsnorers were recruited. Breathing preference (nose or mouth) was assessed at the mean age of 27 months by otorhinolaryngologist. At the mean age of 33 months, an orthodontic examination was performed, including sagittal relationship of second deciduous molars, overjet, overbite, and occurrence of crowding and lateral crossbite. Bite index was obtained to measure maxillary dental arch dimensions (intercanine and intermolar width, arch length). A profile photograph was obtained to measure facial convexity. RESULTS No significant differences were found between nonsnorers and snorers in any of the studied occlusal characteristics or in measurements of maxillary dental arch dimensions. Snorers were found to have a more convex profile than nonsnorers. Occurrence of mouth breathing was more common among snorers. CONCLUSIONS Parent-reported snoring (≥3 nights/week) does not seem to be associated with an adverse effect on the early development of deciduous dentition, but snoring children seem to have more convex profile than nonsnorers. Snoring is a mild sign of sleep-disordered breathing, and in the present study its short time lapse may not have had adequate functional impact on occlusion.