The aim of the present study is to investigate the long term effects of adenoidectomy on dental and skeletal structures. The material consisted of 26 patients, diagnosed with nasal obstruction. Adenoidectomy was indicated on all, but 13 were operated within the 1st year following diagnosis. Remaining 13 were not operated and used as the control group. Lateral and antero-posterior cephalometric films and study models were obtained following the diagnosis and after 6 years. Nasal obstruction were recorded planimetrically on lateral head cephalograms. The changes on the skeletal and dental structures were also recorded on lateral and anteroposterior cephalometric radiographs. Dental arch measurements were carried out on study models. The obtained measurements were evaluated statistically. Consequently, following the adenoidectomy operation the changes were mainly on dental structures and to certain extent on skeletal structures, in particular on upper and lower incisor inclinations. In the adenoidectomy group, the nasal resistance was decreased significantly and the respiratory areas were increased. Adenoidecto-my alone, may only change the breathing pattern, without having a significant effect on malocclusion and face type.

Keywords: Nasal obstruction, adenoids, adenoidectomy, planimeter, dentofacial structures