Three Dimensional Study of Upper Airway in Different Antero-posterior Jaw Relationships through Cone Beam Computed Tomography

This study aims at examining the difference of pharyngeal airways in patients with different occlusion postures, hoping to im prove diagnostic methods and provide a stable treatment plan for orthodontic patients. The data were ga-thered through CBCT radiographies of patients from a specialized center for radiology. In each occlusion group according to the performed pilot study, 30 people (90 people in 3 groups of class I, II and III, male and female each) were chosen as the sample. The two-di mentional cephalometric radiographs were ob tained from 3D-radio-graphs, and the patients’ malocclusion postures were de termined according overjet and ANB angle, and finally grouped. Next, airway volume and di mensions were measured in cross sectional. Statistical studies showed there is a significant relationship between anteroposte-rior positions of mandible and the volume of pharyngeal airway. Also, the volume of pharyn-geal airway in class III patients is more than those of patients in class I. The volume of pha-ryngeal airway in class II patients is also less than those of class1 patients. Pharyngeal airway in class III is larger and in class II smaller. Therefore, consi-dering this subject can lead to improving diag-nostic ways, especially orthognatic surgery treatments, and providing a stable treatment plan for patients who need orthodentic treat-ment