Effect of functional therapy on orophareangeal airway dimensions in mandibular deficient patients

ABSTRACT

Severe mandibular deficiency may result in reduced oropharyngeal airway [OAW] dimensions and predispose patients to respiratory dysfunctions such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of functional treatment on anteroposterior and vertical dimensions of airway in skeletal class III patients with mandibular deficiency. This interventional study was done on lateral cephalogerams of 25 mandibular deficient patients with average 9.9 years of age who were treated with modified activator appliance. Digitized cephalograms were traced and analyzed by ViewBox version 3,1,1,3 cephalometric software. Paired t-test was performed to evaluate pre- and post-treatment data. Skeletal sagittal discrepancy was improved with decreasing ANB angle from 6.68 ° to 4.48° and increasing SNB angle from 74.48 ° to 76.78 ° [p<0.001]. Anteriorposterior dimensions of nasopharynx were increased from 19.64 to 21.52 mm [P=0/021], Anterior-posterior dimensions oforopharynx increased in AW2 and AW4 [p<0/05] but in AW3 increasing fromll.26 to 12.27 mm was not statistical significant [p=0.091]. Anterior-posterior dimensions of hypopharynx increased from 16.54 to 19.22 mm [p<0/001]. Vertical dimension of airway increased from 60.73 to 64.79 mm [p<0/05]. Treatment of mandibular deficient patients with functional appliances improved mandibular position as well as airway dimensions