Dictionary of Allergies .. Adenoid facies

The term has long been used to describe the child whose skeletal configuration is that of a long face with an anterior dental openbite malocclusion.

It has thought by many that mouth-breathing was the cause of adenoid facies. It is no longer acceptable to equate malocclusion with mouth-breathing until the nasal-oral breathing modes are accurately assessed and controlled studies are done to determine the effect that the nasal-oral breathing ratios have on craniofacial growth and the occlusion. Adenoid facies must not be confused with the allergic facies.

References
Elluru RG. Adenoid facies and nasal airway obstruction: cause and effect? Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005 Oct;131(10):918.  Comment on: Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2005 Oct;131(10):919-20.