Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Dentistry, Professor Dr. Ali Ismail Ibrahim,
the College of Dentistry at the University of Baghdad organized a scientific seminar entitled “The Upper Respiratory System and Orthodontics.” The seminar was presented by Professor Dr. Shahbaa Abdul Ghafour and attended by a number of faculty members.
The seminar aimed to clarify the relationship between the upper respiratory system and orthodontics, and to demonstrate the impact of breathing disorders on jaw growth and occlusion, thereby improving diagnosis and developing comprehensive treatment plans.
The seminar covered several key topics, including:
Anatomy and functions of the upper respiratory system;
the relationship between mouth breathing and occlusion;
the impact of airway obstruction on jaw growth;
the role of orthodontics in improving respiratory function;
diagnosis of orthodontic-related breathing disorders;
and collaboration between orthodontists and other specialties (such as otolaryngology).
The seminar recommended the following:
Early assessment of respiratory function in patients;
the adoption of an integrated treatment approach combining orthodontics with other medical specialties;
and raising awareness of the risks of mouth breathing to oral and dental health.
• Use of modern diagnostic tools to assess the airway.
• Regular follow-up of cases to ensure stable treatment outcomes.
