A cone beam CT evaluation of oropharyngeal airway space and its relationship to mandibular position and dentocraniofacial morphology

BackgroundThis study was conducted using cone beam computed tomography to examine the relationship between different skeletal patterns of the mandible and the oropharyngeal airway space and dentocraniofacial morphology.MethodsThe sample included 128 patients with mandibular retrognathism, mandibular prognathism, and normal mandibular posture. The oropharyngeal airway volume was measured though cone beam computed tomography, using Dolphin software. Roth-Jarabak analysis was performed.ResultsThe airway volume size was significant between the three groups (P < 0.05), as well as the saddle/sella angle, sella nasion point A, sella nasion point B, point A-nasion-point B, and the lower incisor to mandibular plane angle (P < 0.05).ConclusionsPharyngeal airway volume is largest in the mandibular prognathism group, followed by normal mandible posture, and then the mandibular retrognathism group. These results indicate that the anteroposterior dimension of the pharyngeal airway space is affected by different skeletal patterns of the mandible.