Cone-beam evaluation of pharyngeal airway space in class I, II, and III patients

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2015 Dec;120(6):679-83. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.07.006. Epub 2015 Jul 21.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to make a 3-dimensional (3-D) evaluation of the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in patients with class I, II, and III malocclusion.

Study design: Sixty patients were evaluated. The patients were divided in 3 groups according to their occlusion classification. The volume and area of PAS were evaluated using the software Dolphin 3-D Imaging in the preoperative period for orthognathic surgery.

Results: PAS volume and area were influenced by different patterns of malocclusion. The mean volume and area for class III patients were statistically bigger than for classes I and II patients (P < .001). There was also a significant difference for volume values between class I and II patients, being the bigger volume for the class I patients (P < .05).

Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that the class III patients presented a bigger PAS compared with classes I and II patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Male
  • Malocclusion / classification
  • Malocclusion / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharynx / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Software