Comparison of dental arch measurements according to the grade and the obstructive character of adenoids

Introduction: Obstructive adenoid hypertrophy is cited as one of the causes of mouth breathing and leads to disharmony in the development of orofacial structures. The objective of this study was to compare the measurements of dental arches according to the grade and the obstructive character of adenoids. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 86 children. The grade and the obstructive character of adenoids were determined from Holmberg and Cohen's radiographic methods respectively. Dental arch measurements were taken on dental casts. A t-test and a Chi 2 test were performed respectively to compare the quantitative and qualitative variables of dental arches according to the obstructive character. An Anova test made it possible to compare the quantitative variables according to the grade as Holmberg defined it. For variables that showed significant differences, a Post Hoc test was used. The significance level was set at P = 0.05. Results: Subjects with obstructive adenoids had a shorter posterior mandibular length (P = 0.04) and a greater overbite (P = 0.04) than those with non-obstructive adenoids. Those with grade 4 had a greater arch depth (P = 0.02) and were more prone to open bite(P = 0.03). Conclusion: A prevention program involving the otorhinolaryngologist and the orthodontist for subjects with obstructive adenoids or grade 4 is necessary to minimize their influence on dental arch relationships.