Korean J Orthod.  2009 Jun;39(3):136-145. 10.4041/kjod.2009.39.3.136.

Pharyngeal airway analysis of different craniofacial morphology using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)

• Kim YI
• Kim SS
• Son WS
• Park SB

• KMID: 2273208
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2009.39.3.136

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
CBCT has become popular for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in recent times. The 3D pharyngeal airway space needs to be analysed using a 3D diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to analyse the pharyngeal airway of different craniofacial morphology using CBCT.
METHODS
The sample compromised 102 subjects divided into 3 groups (Class I, II, III) and 6 subgroups according to normal or vertical craniofacial patterns. All samples had CBCT (VCT, Vatech, Seoul, Korea) taken for orthodontic treatment. The pharyngeal airway was assessed according to the reference planes: aa plane (the most anterior point on the anterior arch of atlas), CV2 plane, and CV3 plane (most infero-anterior point on the body of the second & third cervical vertebra). The intergroup comparison was performed with one-way ANOVA and duncan test as a second step.
RESULTS
The results showed the pharyngeal airway and anteroposterior width of group 2 (Class II) in aa plane, CV2 plane, CV3 plane were significant narrower than in group 3 (Class III). There was no significant difference between vertical and normal craniofacial patterns except for the anteroposterior pharyngeal width of Group 1 (Class I) in aa plane.
CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with Class II patterns have a significantly narrower pharyngeal airway than those with Class III. However there was no difference in pharyngeal airway between vertical and normal craniofacial morphology.

Keyword

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT); Pharyngeal airway; Craniofacial morphology

MeSH Terms

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A, Reference plane (FH plane, aa plane, CV2 plane, CV3 plane); B, measurements of pharyngeal airway width and area on the reference plane.

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  Fig. 2 A, Pharyngeal airway areas of subgroups (vertical and normal pattern) in aa plane; B, pharyngeal airway areas of subgroups (vertical and normal pattern) in CV2 plane; C, pharyngeal airway areas of subgroups (vertical and normal pattern) in CV3 plane.

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  Fig. 3 A, Pharyngeal airway width (apw) of subgroups (vertical and normal pattern) in aa plane; B, pharyngeal airway width (apw) of subgroups (vertical and normal pattern) in CV3 plane.

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