[Three-dimensional analysis of pharyngeal airway in skeletal Class III patients after sagittal split ramus osteotomy].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the three-dimensional changes of pharyngeal airway in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion after the combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment.


METHODS
Twenty patients (9 males, 11 females) and 40 subjects with normal occlusion were involved in the study. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed on patients one week and six months after treatment. Raw data were reconstructed into three-dimensional model and sagittal and transversal measurements, cross sectional areas, partial and total volumes were computed.


RESULTS
After treatment, the sagittal diameters of each section were significantly reduced by (2.7 ± 3.5), (3.0 ± 3.8), (2.7 ± 3.3) mm, respectively (P < 0.05). The transversal diameter of laryngopharyngeal airway constricted significantly by (4.8 ± 4.1) mm (P < 0.05). Cross sectional areas and volumes of each part in patients after surgery were significantly narrower compared with those of the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
After combined therapy the pharyngeal airway space decreased.
Department of Orthodontics, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, Tianjin 300041, China.
Hong-wei
HW
Wang
Jian-guo
JG
Wang
Su-qing
SQ
Qi
Zhi-fang
ZF
Cai
Xin-hua
XH
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult