ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the upper airway morphology in individuals having different anteroposterior jaw relationship. The linear, angular and area measurements were performed on the lateral cephalometric films taken from 24 individuals with Class I skeletal relationship, 21 individuals having Class II skeletal relationship due to mandibular retrog-nathia and 25 individuals with Class II-I skeletal relationship due to mandibular prognathia. Comparison of the values between groups was evaluated by Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal measurements were significantly different among Class II and Class III groups. Hyoid bone was positioned upper and backward in Class II subjects whereas it was positioned lower and more forward in Class II-I subjects. It was concluded that upper airway space is affected from the anteroposterior skeletal relationship. In addition, the nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal areas are significantly narrower in mandibular retrognathic individuals (p<0.001), whereas these areas are wider in Class III individuals compared to the other two groups. Uvula length and uvula angulation values are significantly higher in Class III subjects compared to Class I and Class II individuals (p<0.001). According to these findings, upper airway dimensions are affected by the skeletal pattern.