Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Pharyngeal Airway Among Different Skeletal Facial Types

Abstract

: Craniofacial anomalies may cause alteration of pharyngeal airway due to compensation mechanisms occur as a result of physiological progresses. It’s been always a subject of interest for orthodontics if there is a correlation between face morphology and airway. The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between pharyngeal airway and craniofacial structures according to facial growth patterns by 3-D imaging methods in individuals with different skeletal anomalies. For this purpose, archieved Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images are used. Total number of 180 CBCT data were divided into to 3 groups in sagittal direction according to ANB as Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. Then, each group were divided into 3 subgroups in vertical direction as horizontal, normal and vertical face types according to the SN-GoGn and sum of Posterior angles. The volumetric, areal and linear measurements of the airway were performed on the CBCT images by the MIMICS program and the results were analyzed by statistical methods. There was no statistically significant difference in volumetric measurements between Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 groups. Significant differences in areal measurements in axial area at C2 level, in the transversal area at O-N border and in linear measurements, a-p at C2 levels and a-p at O-N margin were found. In Class 3 patients, there was a statistically significant difference between horizontal and normal face types at the level of a-p at C2. There was a statistically significant difference in a-p measurements at C2 level of horizontal face type group between Class 1-Class 3 and between Class 2-Class 3 groups. Malformations in the sagittal direction and different facial types in the vertical dimension may be related to pharyngeal airway volume and dimension.