Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: mouth breathing: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: mouth breathing

Sample item

A 9-year-old with enlarged adenoids breathes through the mouth constantly, with a long narrow face and a narrow high-arched palate. What mandibular change typically results?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Downward and backward rotation with increased lower face height

Chronic mouth breathing lowers the tongue and mandible, causing a long face and open bite tendency. The narrow maxilla often gives a posterior crossbite.

Option by option

  • A. Forward growth with prognathism

    Forward growth is not typical of mouth breathers.

  • B. A deep anterior overbite

    An open bite tendency, not a deep overbite, is typical.

  • C. Reduced lower face height

    The lower face height increases rather than decreases.

  • D. Downward and backward rotation with increased lower face height (correct)

    Correct. The mandible drops and rotates, lengthening the lower face.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Downward and backward rotation with increased lower face height. Chronic mouth breathing lowers the tongue and mandible, causing a long face and open bite tendency.

Why is "Forward growth with prognathism" not the answer?

Forward growth is not typical of mouth breathers.

Why is "A deep anterior overbite" not the answer?

An open bite tendency, not a deep overbite, is typical.

Why is "Reduced lower face height" not the answer?

The lower face height increases rather than decreases.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: mouth breathing in Dentistry. The narrow maxilla often gives a posterior crossbite.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: mouth breathing?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.