Three-dimensional study of the upper airway in different skeletal Class II malocclusion patterns.

Abstract

To characterize upper airway volume and morphology in patients with different skeletal patterns of Class II malocclusion compared to Class I. A total of 197 individuals who had cone-beam computed tomography were allocated into groups according to ANB, SNA, and SNB angles (Class I, Class II maxillary protrusion, Class II mandibular retrusion), each subdivided into hypodivergent, normal, and hyperdivergent. Nasopharynx (NP), oropharynx (OP), and hypopharynx (HP) were assessed with three-dimensional image reconstruction software. Intergroup comparison did not detect significant differences in volume and morphology of NP, OP, and HP. The males displayed larger OP and HP volume than the females. Positive correlations between age and NP, OP, HP volume and between craniocervical angle and OP and HP volume were observed. Linear regression analysis detected a tendency for OP and HP volume to increase as maxillary and mandibular length increased. Upper airway volume and morphology were similar in different skeletal patterns of Class II malocclusion. Actual upper and lower jaw lengths were more closely related to upper airway volume and morphology than the angles that reflected their position relative to the cranial base.