[Effect of the suction-swallowing action on orofacial development and growth].
BACKGROUND
All the functions that take place in the oral cavity (sucking, swallowing, mastication and phonation), not only play an important role in stimulating orofacial development and growth but may also alter such growth and affect occlusal development.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research work was to show the occlusal characteristics of children in the City of Córdoba, Argentina, in relation to their social background. This paper also aimed to show the favorable effect of breastfeeding as a moderator of the biopsychoaffective profile of children, which allows an excellent maxillo-facial growth and favors neuromuscular balance. This work also considered dysfunctional oral habits as predisposing factors which may alter orofacial growth and development, by identifying favorable and unfavorable conditions for occlusal development.


METHODS
The sample included 290 boys and girls aged 5, who belonged to a cohort of CLACYD Study. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS/ PC 4.0.


RESULTS
55.2% of the whole group had normal occlusion. No statistically significant differences wer found in relation to social strata (high-middle and low). Regarding malocclusions, the prevalence of overbiting (20.9%) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
A higher percentage of children with normal occlusion was found in the group who had been breastfed. Overbiting was the major type of malocclusion in breastfed children (25.3%), while lateral crossbiting prevailed in those fed with bottle (16.9%). As for dysfunctional oral habits, the highest percentage found was related to lingual interposition associated to open biting, presented by children who had been bottle-fed. The data were statistically significant.
Lescano de Ferrer
Alfonsina
A
Cátedra de Integral Niños Area Odontopediatría A y B y Ortodoncia A Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina. aferrer@odo.unc.edu.ar
Varela de Villalba
Teresa B
TB
D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D012923:Social Class; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*