Pharyngeal airway spaces in different skeletal malocclusions: a CBCT 3D assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To three-dimensionally evaluate the upper pharyngeal airway spaces in adults with different anteroposterior and vertical skeletal malocclusions.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, three-dimensional airway volume and the minimum constricted areas of 120 adults were measured from cone beam computed tomography volume scans. The sample was divided into skeletal Class I and Class II and subdivided into average and long face malocclusions in each skeletal Class. Airway volumes of the naso-, palato-, and glossopharynx, and the minimum constricted area were measured and compared.

RESULTS: Skeletal Class II reduced glossopharyngeal airway volume and larger total minimum constricted area in average faces and more nasal minimum constricted area in long faces. Skeletal Class II with long face significantly increased palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal airway volumes as well as larger palatopharyngeal minimum constricted area (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This paper found a likely association between jaw skeletal classification and airway dimensions.