Glupker Leslie, Kula Katherine, Parks Edwin, Babler William, Stewart Kelton, Ghoneima Ahmed
Orthodontic resident, Department of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind.
Chair and Jarabak Endowed Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind.
Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2015 Apr;147(4):426-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2014.11.025.
Airway dimensions are closely linked to the bone and soft-tissue craniofacial anatomy. Reduction of the airway is seen with airway disorders and can impair function. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine whether changing from open to closed jaw position affects the volume of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oropharynx; the soft palate; the soft-tissue thickness of the airway; and the most constricted area of the airway.
Following reliability studies, in this retrospective study, we analyzed cone-beam computed tomography scans taken in both closed and open jaw positions of 60 subjects who were undergoing diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. On each scan, condyle-fossa measurements, volumes of airway segments (nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx), soft palate areas, soft tissue thicknesses of the airway, and the most constricted area of the airway and its location were measured using Dolphin imaging software (version 11.5; Patterson Dental Supply, Chatsworth, Calif). Differences between the 2 jaw positions were analyzed with paired t tests, accepting P ≤0.05 as significant.
Significant changes in airway dimensions were found between the closed and open jaw positions. With jaw opening, the nasopharynx volume increased, whereas the oropharynx volume decreased. Significant decreases were also found for measurements of basion to posterior airway wall, cervical vertebrae to posterior airway wall, most constricted area, nasal cavity volume, and soft palate area when the jaw was open.
Changing jaw position significantly affects airway dimensions.
气道尺寸与颅骨和软组织的颅面解剖结构密切相关。气道疾病会导致气道缩小，进而影响其功能。本回顾性研究的目的是确定从闭口位变为开口位是否会影响鼻腔、鼻咽和口咽的容积；软腭；气道软组织厚度；以及气道最狭窄区域。
在可靠性研究之后，在本回顾性研究中，我们分析了60名正在接受颞下颌关节紊乱症诊断和治疗的受试者在闭口位和开口位时的锥束计算机断层扫描图像。在每次扫描中，使用Dolphin成像软件（版本11.5；Patterson Dental Supply，加利福尼亚州查茨沃思）测量髁突 - 关节窝的尺寸、气道各段（鼻腔、鼻咽、口咽）的容积、软腭面积、气道软组织厚度、气道最狭窄区域及其位置。采用配对t检验分析两种颌位之间的差异，以P≤0.05为有统计学意义。
闭口位和开口位之间气道尺寸存在显著变化。随着张口，鼻咽容积增加，而口咽容积减小。张口时，从颅底至气道后壁、颈椎至气道后壁、最狭窄区域、鼻腔容积和软腭面积的测量值也显著减小。
颌位改变会显著影响气道尺寸。
