DOI: 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_265_25 ISSN: 2319-5932

A Clinical Study on the Influence of Mouth Breathing on Malocclusion Patterns in Young Adults: An Epidemiological Study

Shivani Gupta, Purva Joneja, Samvit Mishra, Anuradha Pandey, Shiksha Nahar, Pankaj Goel
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Abstract

Background:

Oral breathing (OB) acts as an attempt to compensate when breathing through the nose is impaired, and its prolonged existence can result in alterations in cranial position, muscles activity, and tongue positioning.

Aim:

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical influence of mouth breathing on malocclusion variables in young adults.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional prevalence study aims to detect mouth breathers and assess their malocclusion among young adults aged 18–25 years with a target sample size of 400 participants. To screen for mouth breathing, the study will employ two tests: the mirror test, if the mirror fogs up on the oral side, they are breathing through the mouth and the water retention test, which assesses the ability to hold water in the mouth without swallowing. Following the confirmation of mouth breathing, participants were assessed for malocclusion using angles classification, narrow palate, increased overjet, jaw growth, open bite, tongue position, lip position, cross bites, and long face syndrome.

Results:

In 58 individuals (47.9%) ( P = 0.014) Class I malocclusions, particularly Type 2, were more frequently associated with mouth breathing in the study population. Our study suggested that a considerable proportion of mouth breathers may develop anterior open bite, potentially due to abnormal oral posture and function. There was a strong association between mouth breathing and high-arched, narrow palates, likely due to altered tongue posture and disrupted palatal development. Our study also found that nearly half of the study population exhibited maxillary constriction, further supporting the influence of mouth breathing on maxillary arch development.

Conclusion:

OB can be considered a significant risk factor for the prognosis of malocclusion.

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