Children who chronically cannot breathe through their nose due to enlarged adenoids or tonsils and constantly breathe through their mouth develop a typical deformation called “Adenoid Facial Fasciitis” during their growth and development period. Because the mouth remains constantly open, the cheek muscles constantly apply pressure to the upper jaw from the sides, causing the upper jaw arch to narrow and a high, dome-shaped palate to form. Because the upper jaw narrows, the front teeth protrude forward (protruding teeth), and crowding occurs. The lower jaw is positioned backward and downward, making the child’s face appear much longer than normal in the vertical dimension. This condition both impairs aesthetics and disrupts chewing function. Therefore, pediatric dentists should detect this condition early and refer the child to an ENT specialist and an orthodontist.
