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Ventilation nasale et dimension verticale : étude clinique et fonctionnelle Volume 74, issue 2, 76e réunion scientifique de la S.F.O.D.F. – La dimension verticale (1re partie)

Authors

The connection between difficulty in nasal breathing and disturbances in vertical development of the face has given rise to many controversies.

The results of rhinomanometric measurements performed in 875 patients consulting for orthodontic treatment attest to the increasing frequency of chronic nasal obstructions in this segment of the population. However many factors of variations must be taken into account to make their interpretation reliable. In

effect, fluctuating measurements according to climatic, local allergenic and postural conditions, while being recorded, are far from being negligible. In addition to evaluate the functional incapacity provided by these measurements they must be related to the metabolic needs, depending for a large part on age and body surface.

On the other hand, we have measured on the profile radiographs of a representative sample, the axial heights of the functional units directly or indirectly implied in the ventilatory process. By selecting the patients according to their sagittal facial typology, the statistical study reveals a large number of correlations between morphological and rhinomanometric variables, and between the axial measurements of the selected functional units and some cephalometric values of Ricketts's analysis. By treating separately the dolichofacial and the brachyfacial types, those functional axial measurements are correlated with nasal résistances. When all is said and done, facial typology might reflect the morphological aspect of variable procedures to postural adaptations of nasal ventilation disorders.