Associação entre tipo e duração da amamentação com mordida aberta anterior em crianças com dentição decídua e mista atendidas nas clínicas do curso de Odontologia da UFJF-GV

Abstract

Anterior open bite (AOB) is the lack of vertical overlap or contact between the upper and lower incisors. It can result from skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects. Studies reveal that prolonged breastfeeding has been associated with a lower chance of developing AOB. Breastfeeding ensures the establishment of proper oral function, and its shorter duration may lead to inadequate oral muscle development and the acquisition of harmful oral habits, such as bottle use. Bottle feeding affects the development of the child's bone structures and promotes the occurrence of this type of malocclusion. In light of this, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between the type and duration of breastfeeding and AOB in children with primary and mixed dentition treated at the dental clinics of the UFJF-GV Dentistry course. Other nutritional and non-nutritional habits were analyzed to enable a more comprehensive assessment of the factors associated with open bite. The study was an observational cross-sectional study based on the analysis of 119 validated medical records. The results revealed no association between AOB and the duration of breastfeeding (p=0.585). However, there was a significant association between this malocclusion and the duration of bottle use (p=0.005), pacifier use (p=0.030), digital sucking (p=0.001), and mouth breathing (p=0.043). It was concluded that breastfeeding was not associated with the prevention of AOB. Bottle use for more than 24 months was found to be a risk factor for AOB, as well as the habit of digital sucking, prolonged pacifier use, and mouth breathing.