Effect of feeding methods on alveolar arch and palate

Objectives: The positive impact of breast-feeding on health has been the subject of extensive study and review. However, there is a difference of opinion regarding the influence of feeding on dental occlusion. The purpose of this study is to examine various maxillary predental arch and palate parameters in 27 infants at 3 months of age. Methods: Infant feeding data were collected and then at age 3 months, these infants were examined and study models obtained. The feeding methods were categorized as “breast-fed” if the infants were ever breast-fed, and as “bottle-fed” for those never breast-fed. All 27 included, 18 were breast-fed and 9 were bottle-fed. Alveolar arch and palate shapes were measured using 3-D image measurement analysis system (UNISN INC). All measurements were compared between feeding groups using t-test. Results: Mean anterior palatal length (7.7 vs.7.9) and mean palatal depth (9.7 vs. 10.1) were shorter in those breast-fed infants. Mean anterior arch width (28.7 vs. 28.4) was greater in those breast-fed infants. However, these parameters were not significantly different between feeding methods. On the other hand, breast-fed infants had significantly shorter mean palatal width, particularly in the posterior and the deeper part of palate. The results indicated that breast-fed infants tended to have developed para-alveolar walls and sucking ridges. Conclusions: We conclude that the method of feeding may have some influence on dental arch development during the 3-months period.