Evaluation of masseter muscle thickness of mouth breathing patients using ultrasonography

Mouth breathing is a pathological version of the normal breathing pattern that can occur due to various factors. In order for the craniofacial structures to grow balancedly, it is very important for the nose to perform normal respiratory function. Chronic mouth breathing negatively affects the growth of the craniofacial complex and creates problems on the dental structures and adjacent skeletal muscle structures. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible effects of this situation on the muscles in the chewing system by evaluating the masseter muscle thickness in mouth-breathing individuals by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography technique is an advantageous technique in the evaluation of masseter muscle thickness that is easily applicable, provides simultaneous rapid imaging, and has no known cumulative biological side effects. A total of 100 patients between the ages of 18-65, 50 of whom could breathe through mouth and 50 who could breathe normally through nose, were included in this study. Masseter muscle thickness was measured by ultrasonography in both free rest and maximum bite positions. According to the statistical results of the data obtained, masseter muscle thickness was observed to decrease in the mouth-breathing male patient group, while no significant difference was observed in the female patient groups. No relationship was observed between the age variable and measurement values. Chronic mouth breathing is a pathological condition that has negative effects on many systems, including skeletal, muscular and dental structures, and it is extremely important to diagnose and control it.