A Cephalometric Evaluation of Airway Space in Skeletal Class II Subjects

Aims and Objectives: To study the correlation of 1. pharyngeal airway space and skeletal class I and II malocclusions and 2. pharyngeal airway space and growth pattern using lateral cephalograms

Materials and Methods: 60 pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of untreated skeletal class I and class II patients were traced using 0.003 inch matte acetate sheets. The subjects were divided into skeletal class I (ANB 0º-4º) and class II (ANB >4º) based on ANB angles. Each group was further divided into three sub groups based on mandibular plane angle. (SN-GoGn <26º-low angle, SN-GoGn 26º-38º-normal angle and SN-GoGn >38º-high angle).

Results: Nasopharyngeal airway space decreased from low angle to normal to high angle. The upper airway was wider in Class II subjects with low, normal or vertical growth than in Class I subjects with low, normal or vertical growth. The lower pharyngeal airway did not have any correlation with the type of malocclusion or the growth pattern.

Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that malocclusion type (skeletal Class I or Class II) as well as growth pattern (normal, horizontal and vertical) influence upper pharyngeal airway width, and both do not influence the lower pharyngeal airway width.