Cephalometric Analysis of Upper Airways in Adults with Class II Malocclusion in Qazvin

Abstract

Background: Unusual enlargement of nasopharynx can disrupt air flow through the nose. The aim of this study was to investigate the cephalometric parameters in the upper airways. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 32 adults with Class II malocclusion without the history of night apnea in Qazvin. The radiographs were obtained from the archives in Qazvin Orthodontics Department and private clinics. The selected radiographs were entered into the computer and measured by two observers using Foxit reader version 3. Then, according to the criteria in the Lieberg analysis, the average size of the variables related to the upper airways was determined as the final size. Coefficient of variations and Pearson correlation were calculated in SPSS. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between tongue length and height and soft palate length and also between tongue length and vertical position of the vallecula (p <0.01). But there was a significant negative correlation between nasopharyngeal air space and hypopharyngeal air space, vertical and horizontal position of vallecula (p <0.01). Nasopharyngeal air space showed a significant positive correlation with posterior air space but a negative correlation with soft palate length (p <0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between soft palate length and maximum thickness of soft palate, while the length of contact between the dorsal surface of the tongue and soft palate showed a significant negative correlation with vertical position of the vallecula (p <0.004). Conclusion: Cephalometric parameters of upper airways were not significantly different in adults with CLII malocclusion in Qazvin.

Keywords

• malocclusion
• cephalometry
• airway