THE EXISTENCE OF A FUNCTIONAL MATRIX IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FACIAL SKELETON IN CHILDREN.

Aim - identifying the relationship between the presence of oral habits and the violation of the formation of the facial skeleton in children. Improving the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment of patients with pathological occlusion and existing oral habits through orthodontic treatment and elimination of oral habits. We conducted clinical, radiological methods of examination of 60 patients 12-15 years old with acquired maxillomandibular anomalies and oral habits, 15 persons aged 12-15 years without maxillomandibular anomalies and acquired deformities (norm group). We studied the data of computer tomograms, performed stereotopometric analysis (three-dimensional cephalometry), determination of the thickness of the masticatory muscles in symmetrical areas of the face. Statistical processing of the results was performed using a personal computer using the software package Statistica 12.0. Data distribution was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of normality. Mean values and standard errors were calculated for continuous variables. Correlation between parameters was analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and tested for significance. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Clinical examination showed that oral habits were manifested in 98.3% of patients. The results of clinical and radiological examination, analysis of cephalometric parameters and data on the thickness of the masticatory muscles on symmetrical areas of the face confirm the relationship between chronic oral habits and formation of acquired maxillomandibular anomalies; confirm the presence of acquired rather than congenital deformity of the facial skeleton, which is associated with changes in the thickness of the masticatory muscles on the part of the deformation та compensatory muscle hypertrophy on the opposite side. After 12 months, the patients' cephalometric parameters differed significantly from the indicators before active orthodontic treatment and elimination of the oral habit, an increase in muscle thickness was observed in the areas where there was a chronic injury (p≤0.05). An increase in the thickness of the bone structure of the facial skull and an increase in the thickness of the masticatory muscles on the side where the oral habit was eliminated were observed. Oral habits progress regardless of the patient's age, they appear in 96.6% of patients in this group of patients. The results of clinical and X-ray research, analysis of cephalometric indicators and level of the thickness of the masticatory muscles confirm the relationship between a chronic oral habit and the development of the bone and muscle system. The obtained results indicate the ability of bone tissue to change its thickness and contours after eliminating a bad habit and confirm the presence of a functional matrix of bone structure development.