Functional alterations of the stomatognathic system in pacients with allergic rhinitis: case-control study

Mouth breathing can cause structural and functional alterations to the stomatognathic system. AIM: the aim of this investigation was to study breathing, chewing, swallowing and speaking alterations present in patients with allergic rhinitis and associate it to rhinitis symptom intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 170 patients between the ages of 6 and 55 years were prospectively evaluated in this study, all of them underwent both otorhinolaryngological and speech evaluation. RESULTS: the difference in signs and symptoms' score between GR and GC was significant. CONCLUSION: patients with allergic rhinitis have functional alterations in their stomatognathic system and an increase in nasal obstruction scores can be considered as a indication of such alterations.