“Adenoid face” refers to a specific set of facial characteristics that can develop in individuals, particularly children, due to prolonged mouth breathing. This condition often results in an elongated face, a consistently open-mouth appearance, and a somewhat dull expression.
Understanding Adenoid Face
Adenoid face describes the distinct facial changes that occur when someone consistently breathes through their mouth instead of their nose. These changes can include a lengthened face, a narrow and high-arched palate, crowded or protruding upper teeth, a receding chin, pinched nostrils, and a short upper lip.
The reason for chronic mouth breathing is an obstruction in the nasal airway. Enlarged adenoids are a common cause of this obstruction, forcing individuals to breathe through their mouths. Adenoids are lymphoid tissues located at the back of the nasal passage that can swell due to frequent infections or allergies, blocking nasal airflow. Other factors contributing to nasal obstruction include chronic rhinitis.
Addressing the Root Cause: Adenoid Treatment
Treating adenoid face begins with addressing the underlying cause of nasal obstruction, most commonly enlarged adenoids. Non-surgical options are considered first, aiming to reduce inflammation and swelling. These include intranasal corticosteroid sprays, which reduce adenoid size and nasal airway obstruction. Antihistamines are also used if allergies contribute to the adenoid enlargement.
If non-surgical methods do not resolve the nasal obstruction, an adenoidectomy may be recommended. This surgical procedure involves the removal of the adenoid glands, performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The surgeon accesses the adenoids through the mouth to remove the tissue. Most children recover within a few days, experiencing immediate improvement in nasal breathing.
Correcting Facial and Oral Development
Beyond treating the underlying cause, addressing the existing facial and dental changes associated with adenoid face involves orthodontic intervention. Early orthodontic treatments, such as palatal expanders, are used to widen a narrow upper jaw. This expansion creates more space for proper tooth alignment and can improve nasal volume and airflow.
Orthodontic appliances, including braces, help to correct dental malocclusion, which means crowded or misaligned teeth often seen in adenoid face. Mandibular repositioning devices may be used to advance the lower jaw, which can enlarge the upper airway. For more severe skeletal discrepancies, maxillofacial surgery may be considered.
Myofunctional therapy retrains the oral and facial muscles to promote proper function and nasal breathing. This therapy involves exercises designed to improve tongue posture, lip closure, and swallowing patterns. By encouraging the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth and promoting nasal breathing, myofunctional therapy can help guide facial growth and support orthodontic outcomes. It aims to establish healthy muscle memory for long-term correction.
The Role of Early Intervention and Comprehensive Care
Identifying and addressing adenoid face early in a child’s development is beneficial because their facial bones are still growing and more adaptable to change. Prompt intervention can help redirect facial growth patterns towards a more typical development and may prevent the progression of severe changes. Waiting to treat the condition can lead to more entrenched facial deformities that may require more extensive corrections later in adolescence.
A comprehensive approach involving various specialists yields the most favorable outcomes. This collaborative care includes pediatricians, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists, orthodontists, and myofunctional therapists. While some facial changes can be improved or reversed with timely and consistent treatment, the degree of correction achieved can vary based on the individual’s age at intervention, the severity of the condition, and adherence to the treatment plan.