Influence of nonnutritive sucking habits, breathing pattern and adenoid size on the development of malocclusion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of finger and pacifier-sucking habits, breathing pattern, and adenoid size with the development of malocclusion in primary dentition.


METHODS
A case-control study was carried out involving 300 preschool children, ages 3 to 6 years, randomly selected from 10 public and 10 private preschools from a large representative sample of 745 children. The study was developed to identify risk factors associated with the development of malocclusion. The case group (n = 150) was composed of individuals with at least one of the following malocclusions: anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, or overjet of more than 3 mm. The control group (n = 150) was made up of individuals without malocclusions. Other variables were assessed through questionnaires about oral habits, including the use of a dummy, finger sucking, duration of these habits; mouth-breathing analysis; and a lateral cephalometric radiograph to evaluate the airway obstruction related to the adenoids. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was P < .05.


RESULTS
The risk factors for the occurrence of malocclusion in preschool children were duration of pacifier-sucking after 2 years of age (OR = 14.7) and mouth-breathing pattern (OR = 10.9). No significant associations were found between hypertrophied adenoids or finger-sucking habits and the occurrence of malocclusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The malocclusion in the primary dentition in preschool children was directly related to the duration of pacifier-sucking after 2 years of age and the mouth-breathing pattern.
Góis
Elton Geraldo Oliveira
EG
Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil. gois@nextwave.com.br
Ribeiro-Júnior
Humberto Campos
HC
Vale
Miriam Pimenta Parreira
MP
Paiva
Saul Martins
SM
Serra-Negra
Júnia Maria Cheib
JM
Ramos-Jorge
Maria Letícia
ML
Pordeus
Isabela Almeida
IA
D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005386:Fingersucking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology*; D009058:Mouth Breathing / Q000150:complications*; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous