2012, Vol.39, No.4

Journal of the Korean academy of pediatric dentistry 2024 KCI Impact Factor : 0.36

pISSN : 1226-8496 / eISSN : 2288-3819
https://journal.kci.go.kr/jkapd

There still remains a controversial debate whether facial skeletal morphological differences exist between patients with nasal and mouth breathing habits. The aim of this study is to assess a relationship between over a period of time mouth breathing and facial skeletal morphology by analyzing lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients with nasal or mouth breathing habits. A total of 120 patients with skeletal class I, II, and III, who had undergone orthodontic diagnosis in department of pediatric dentistry - chonbuk national university, were chosen and their lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. These patients were divided into six groups of 20, each with or without mouth breathing habits. The result of this study has not showed noticeable differences in cephalometric measurements between nasal and mouth breathing children of skeletal class I, II, and III (p > 0.05). However, when the groups were divided by age factor, mouth breathers of age 12 and older showed significant differences in cephalometrics such as decreased ramus height, maxillary retrusion, and clockwise pattern of mandible than children under age 12 (p <0.05). In conclusion, a longer period of mouth-breathing habits in children displayed a greater chance of impaired facial growth.

The treatment pattern of pediatric dentistry has been changing recently, because of so many socioeconomic changes such as decrease of birth rates and prevalence of caries. The purpose of this study is to recognize the changing patterns in pediatric dental treatment and to help predict future direction for pediatric dentistry. Patients distribution and treatment pattern were examined in all new patients of the department of pediatric dentistry, Chosun University Dental Hospital and two pediatric local clinics in Gwang-ju, from 2005 to 2010. The number of new patients in recent 5 years has been increasing. There was a higher ratio of male patients. Age distribution has shown the percentage of 3~4 age group was highest. The hospital visit rate to Chosun University Dental Hospital was high, whereas the visit rate for local clinics was low. Dental caries showed the highest percentage in chief complaints, oral examinations have increased. The percentage of restoration treatment was highest, fluoride treatment had increased. In restorative treatment, the percentage of resin and GIC restoration was highest and amalgam restoration has decreased. The percentage of sedation treatment was decreased a little, Chosun University Dental Hospital showed a higher rate than local clinics.

There are orthodontic treatment which involves tooth movements and orthopedic treatment which involves skeletal movement. In childhood and adolescence, especially for the treatment of orthopedic treatment, the evaluation of bone maturity and growth potential is very important. The purpose of this study is to assess the developmental stage and to compare the amount of mandibular growth with cephalometric radiographs and hand-wrist radiograph in 6 to 13-year-old children with normal occlusion. The results are as follows :SMI and CVM showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05). Ar-Go, Co-Go, N-Go, S-Gn, N-Me, Co-Gn, Go-Me,Go-Gn increased with increasing maturity of hand-wrist and Ar-Go, Co-Go, N-Go, S-Gn, N-Me, Co-Gn, Go-Me, Go-Gn increased with increasing maturity of cervical vertebrae maturation. Also Ar-Go, Co-Go, N-Go, SGn,N-Me, Co-Gn, Go-Me, Go-Gn showed a significant correlation with each of the cervical vertebrae maturation stages and hand-wrist maturation stages (p < 0.05). These results suggested that mandibular growth had a significant correlation with cervical vertebrae maturation stages and hand-wrist maturation stages.