ABSTRACT
This integrative literature review aimed to analyze the scientific evidence available on the relationship between malocclusions and auditory tube dysfunction. A search was carried out on the Virtual Health Library / Bireme/Medicine(r), using the descriptors "malocclusion", "Eustachian tube", "otitis media", to identify articles published in English, Portuguese and Spanish, of any publication date. Articles excluded were those repeated in databases, case reports and reviews, theses, editorials, essays and letters that did not appear in scientific paper format. Following analysis, 9 articles were selected that met the established inclusion criteria, most conducted on the European continent, and one only in Brazil. A shortage of articles on the relationship between malocclusions and auditory tube dysfunction became apparent. There was no consensus among the available studies on the relationship between the middle ear disorders and malocclusions; however, intervention studies have shown that rapid maxillary expansion has a positive effect on the functioning of the auditory tube. The current lack of articles indicates the need for more studies on this topic for dentistry and speech therapy, alongside other areas of health, to be able to contribute to the choice of treatments that allow improvements in the lives of people with these conditions.
Keywords:
Malocclusion; Eustachian Tube; Otitis Media