RESUMO
Objective@# To compare the hyoid bone position among patients with different sagittal skeletal malocclusions to provide a reference for clinicians to formulate treatment plans.@*Methods@#Lateral cephalograms of 284 orthodontic patients were selected. According to ANB angles, the types of skeletal malocclusion of patients were determined as follows: Class Ⅰ (1° ≤ ANB ≤ 5°), Class Ⅱ (ANB>5°) and Class Ⅲ (ANB<1°). Ten parameters were used to determine hyoid positions. After comparing the hyoid positions of the three groups, stratified analyses based on sex and age were conducted. @*Results @# No significant differences in demographic and vertical facial type features among skeletal Classes Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were observed (P>0.05). The angle between the Gonion-hyoid point line and the hyoid point-Menton line (Go-Hy-Me) of Class Ⅱ patients was significantly smaller than that of Class Ⅰ patients, and the angle between the most anterior and inferior point of the third cervical vertebra-hyoid point line and the hyoid point-Sella line (C3-Hy-S) of Class Ⅲ patients was smaller than that of Class I patients (P<0.05). Age-stratified analysis showed that in the juvenile group, the C3-Hy-S of Class Ⅲ patients was significantly smaller than that of Class Ⅰ patients in males and females (P<0.05). In the adult female group, the Go-Hy-Me of Class Ⅱ patients was significantly smaller, and the distance from the hyoid point to the mandibular plane (Hy-MP) was larger than that noted in Class Ⅰ patients (P<0.05); no significant difference in hyoid position between male Class Ⅱ and I patients was observed (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Compared with Class Ⅰ patients, the hyoid bone of Class Ⅱ patients in adult females was farther away from the mandible and that of Class Ⅲ patients in juveniles was farther away from the cervical vertebra and posterior cranial base.