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

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 Ill. However there was no difference in pharyngeal airway between vertical and normal craniofacial morphology. (Korean J Orthod 2009;39(3):136-145)