[Effects of maxillary protraction on craniofacial structures and upper airway dimensions in skeletal Class III malocclusions].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of maxillary protraction on upper airway dimensions in skeletal Class III malocclusions and to investigate the relationship between changes in craniofacial morphology and upper airway dimensions.


METHODS
22 patients who had maxillary retrognathism confirmed by cervical vertebral maturation and treated with face mask protraction. Pre- and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs were analyzed with SAS8.2 software package for paired t test and correlation analysis.


RESULTS
The dimensions of PNS-ad1,PNS-ad2,PSP-SPPW, P-MPW increased significantly (P<0.01), Tb-TPPW decreased significantly (P<0.05). The change of V-LPW was not significant (P>0.05).Correlation was found between changes of PNS-Ba and PNS-ad1, PNS-ad2,V-LPW (P<0.05);changes of Hy-H1 and P-MPW,V-LPW (P<0.05);changes of Hy-H0 and V-LPW (P<0.05). No correlation was found between other pharyngeal measurements and investigated craniofacial variables(P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Maxillary protraction can affect the upper airway structures. In addition, variables on craniofacial morphology are relative with upper airway dimensions.
Nie
Ping
P
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China. nieping1011@sina.com
Zhu
Min
M
Lu
Xiao-feng
XF
D002508:Cephalometry; D005115:Extraoral Traction Appliances; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III; D008437:Maxilla; D010614:Pharynx; D063173:Retrognathia