Cone-beam evaluation of pharyngeal airway space in adult skeletal Class II patients with different condylar positions.

OBJECTIVES

To test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in pharyngeal airway space among adult skeletal Class II patients with different condylar positions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CBCT records of 60 patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion (ANB angle ≥ 4°, Wits ≥ 0) were selected from the CBCT database. According to the condyle position, the patients were divided in three groups: anterior group (CD ≤ -12%), centric group (-12% ≤ CD ≤ +12%), and posterior group (CD ≥ +12%). Three-dimensional (3D) pharyngeal airway models were reconstructed using InvivoDental software 5.1.3. The volume and area of the pharyngeal airway space were measured in the 3D airway model.

RESULTS

The volume and area of the pharyngeal airway space in the centric group were significantly smaller than those in the posterior group ( P < .01). The volume and area of the pharyngeal airway space were smallest in the anterior group and significantly increased in the centric and posterior groups ( P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The null hypothesis was rejected. Significant differences were noted in pharyngeal airway space among adult skeletal Class II patients with different condylar positions.