Sex differences in pharyngeal airway morphology in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the pharyngeal airway dimensions in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion and well-balanced faces, to ascertain whether sex can influence such measurements and to correlate skeletal pattern with pharyngeal dimensions.

METHODOLOGY

Fifty adults were recruited and assigned to two groups: skeletal Class III (n = 25; 12 males and 13 females, mean age = 26.1 years), and skeletal Class I (n = 25; 11 males and 14 females, mean age = 26.0 years), with well-balanced faces. Pharyngeal measurements were made using cone beam computed tomography and analyzed with Dolphin Imaging software 11.5.

RESULTS

Pharyngeal sagittal area, length, retroglossal area and width were statistically greater for males. Pharyngeal volume was greater for Class III patients (p = .0245), due to enlarged male dimensions. A significant but moderate correlation was observed between pharyngeal airway volume and ANB angle (r = -.4917) and effective mandibular length (Co-Gn, r = .5181).

CONCLUSION

There is sexual differentiation in the pharyngeal airway morphology for Class III adults. As females present similar pharynx volume compared to a normal skeletal pattern, mandibular setback surgery should be carefully planned because of the risk of airway constriction.