Cephalometric analysis of the upper airway in adult Caucasians with skeletal Class I and Class II malocclusion

Abstract

Aim and objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal anteroposterior space width in adult Caucasians with skeletal Class I and Class II malocclusion, using several linear cephalometric measurements. Material and methods: Our retrospective study included a total of 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs from adult patients (31 females and 29 males), with skeletal Class I and skeletal Class II malocclusion, aged 18 to 34 years. The skeletal pattern was assessed using Steiner’s ANB angle. The pharyngeal width measurements included the width of the nasopharynx, upper pharyngeal airway width (UPAW), middle pharyngeal airway width (MPAW) and lower pharyngeal airway width (LPAW). Results and conclusions: The mean values of UPAW and MPAW in the skeletal Class II male subgroup were significantly lower than the mean values in the female subgroup. The mean values of LPAW in the skeletal Class I male subgroup were significantly higher than the mean values in the female subgroup. The mean values of MPAW and LPAW in the skeletal Class I male subgroup were significantly higher than the mean values in skeletal Class II male subgroup.