Open-mouth posture and maxillary arch width in young children: a three-year evaluation.

A large biracial sample of children were assessed for open mouth posture and maxillary arch width once a year for 3 years. Analyses revealed that although the youngsters exhibited open-mouth posture at high levels, over time, there was a significant decrease in this behavior. Racial and gender differences, as well as a race-by-time interaction, were also evidenced.

Thumbsucking as related to placement and acoustic aspects of /s, z/ and lingual rest postures.

Three hundred seventy-one second graders in rural public schools were evaluated for thumbsucking, rest and swallow postures of the tongue, and articulatory placement and acoustic aspects of /s,z/. Significant relationships were observed between thumbsucking and lower dental or interdental rest and swallow postures as well as acoustic errors for /s,z/. The implications of these relationships are discussed.

A longitudinal evaluation of open mouth posture and maxillary arch width in children.

Open mouth posture and maxillary arch width were assessed annually for 4 years in a group of children. While younger children exhibited high levels of open mouth posture, this behavior decreased significantly over time. Racial and sex differences, as well as a race-by-time interaction were also evident.

Open mouth posture and cross-sectional nasal area in young children.

A biracial sample of two-hundred ninety-six children were assessed for open-mouth posture (OMP) in the natural environment. In addition, rhinometry was performed on 288 of the youngsters. Means were computed for percent OMP and cross-sectional nasal airway.