Dentofacial changes following treatment with a fixed functional appliance and their three-dimensional effects on the upper airway

Abstract

Proposed skeletal changes achieved by functional appliances (FA) with reference to stable structures (structural method) have received relatively little attention compared to conventional cephalometric measurements (conventional method). Using the two methods, the aims of this study were to (1) determine the skeletal changes as a result of FA treatment; and (2) identify the skeletal changes associated with upper-airway volume and minimum cross-sectional area (MCA).