Association between maxillo-mandibular sagittal relationship and pharyngeal passage dimensions in class I skeletal pattern

Abstract

Introduction: Pharyngeal dimensions differ among different facial forms and skeletal patterns and it has been hypothesized that there might be a correlation. This has created an interest in this domain. The present study aims to identify the association and relationship between pharyngeal size and class I facial skeletal patterns. Furthermore investigates whether pharyngeal structures of subjects could be affected by the positional relationships between the jaws.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study spanned over six months included cephalometric analyses of 90 (45 males and 45 females) subjects between 13 to 15 years of age. Random cross sectional study sampling technique was used.

Results: The result shows that only apw4-ppw4, hy-apw4 and oropharynx area measurements were affected by the ANB angle. The majority of the measurements used to assess the pharyngeal structures are not affected by the ANB angle. The sexual dimorphism of all variables in pharyngeal size in class I skeletal patterns were statistically insignificant. The skeletal measurement differences amongst males and females in sagittal planes were also statistically insignificant.

Conclusions: The skeletal pattern does not affect the size of nasopharyngeal airway. However, with a reduced SNB angle, there is a reduction in size of the oropharyngeal airway. Moreover sexual dimorphism does not exist for the decreased value of the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airways, respectively.