Cephalometric Interincisal Angle and Mandibular Variations Among Snorers and Non-Snorers Among North India Population: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Snoring which falls within the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders considered to be a common symptom of airway obstruction. Over the years, lateral cephalometric radiography has become one of the standard diagnostic tools to evaluate skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities contributing to obstruction, and have been the most common imaging method in evaluating patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Aim: To analyze the pharyngeal space in the retroglossal region and the region of hypopharynx at the level of epiglottis as well as its relation with the height and weight of the individuals. Materials And Methods: The study was conducted among 60 participants age 21-50 years and was equally divided into snorers and non-snorers. Lateral cephalogram was taken maintaining the exposure parameters and DIGORA software was used for soft tissue parameters. The parameters analyzed were an interincisal angle, angle of the mandible and height of the ramus. Results: Interincisal angle was found to be more among snorers as compared to non-snorers (p<.05), whereas the angle of the mandible and height of the ramus was found to be less among snorers as compared to non-snorers and was found to be statistically significant.