Functional therapy effects on airway dimension in mandibular

Abstract Background and Aim: Severe mandibular deficiency may result in reduced oropha-ryngeal airway (OAW) dimensions and predispose patients to respiratory dysfunc-tions 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 air-way in skeletal class III patients with mandibular deficiency. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was done on lateral cephaloge-rams 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 per-formed to evaluate pre- and post-treatment data. Results: 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). Anterior–posterior dimensions of nasopharynx were increased from 19.64 to 21.52 mm (P=0/021) , Anterior–posterior dimensions of oropharynx increased in AW2 and AW4 (p < 0/05) but in AW3 increasing from11.26 to12.27 mm was not statistical sig-nificant(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. Conclusion: Treatment of mandibular deficient patients with functional appliances improved mandibular position as well as airway dimensions. Key Words: Airway remodeling , functional orthodontic appliance , mandibular advancement