Impact of Skeletal Class II Malocclusions with Different Vertical Growth Patterns on the Upper Airway

Abstract

1.Background/Objectives: Considering the clinical relevance of malocclusion in dentistry, the main objective of this study is to assess the changes in the upper airway dimensions in patients with skeletal Class II and a normodivergent growth pattern compared with those with skeletal Class II and a hyperdivergent growth pattern.2.Methods: This observational comparative study was conducted on lateral cephalograms and cephalometric analyses of 52 subjects obtained at the Dentavis imaging center in Timișoara. The sample was divided into two groups of n=25 and n=27 subjects, respectively: Group 1 included subjects with skeletal Class II malocclusion and a normodivergent growth pattern, whereas Group 2 comprised subjects with skeletal Class II malocclusion and a hyperdivergent growth pattern. 3.Results: In Group 2, the mean length of the upper pharyngeal airway was 3.68 mm smaller than the corresponding mean value in Group 1 (p<0.001), indicating that subjects with skeletal Class II and a hyperdivergent vertical growth pattern present a significantly more constricted upper pharyngeal airway compared with those with skeletal Class II and a normodivergent pattern. 4.Conclusion: Initiating orthodontic treatment would modify the cephalometric measurements and mandibular rotation, leading to an increase in upper airway dimensions and an improvement in respiratory function.