Evaluation of the relationship between malocclusions and sleep-disordered breathing in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between dental/skeletal malocclusions and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in children. METHODS: Patients were evaluated by pedodontists to identify dental, skeletal, and functional malocclusion (n = 240; <15 years). In order to determine the sleep and daytime behavior of the patients, pediatric sleep questionnaires (PSQ) were applied. Per results of the PSQ, patients with a mean of ≥ 0.33 were defined as the high-risk group. RESULTS: A total of 25.8% children were in the high-risk group, with the most convex profile, high-angle growth direction, and mandibular retrognathy. The prevalence of habitual snoring, mouth breathing, and dry mouth was 48.4%, 64.5%, and 87.2% among all high-risk children, respectively. CONCLUSION: Convex profile, high-angle growth direction, and retrognathic mandible were determined as risk factors for SDB. The prevalence of dry mouth, mouth breathing, and snoring was higher in the high-risk group.