The Effects of Maxillary Protrusion on Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions

Abdolreza Jamilian*, Rahman Showkatbakhsh, Neda Borna, Letizia Perillo

Aim: The relationship between position of the maxillary structures caused by maxillary protraction therapy and airway dimensions has not been investigated as comprehensively as the skeletal changes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of treatment with a maxillary protraction appliance on upper airway dimensions.

Material and Methods: Twenty Five patients including 13 females, 12 males with the mean age of 10.66 years (range, +0.7, -0.8 years) with skeletal Cl III malocclusion due to maxillary deficiency were selected in this study. All of the patients were treated by using a maxillary protraction (Tongue Appliance) as the only treatment appliance. Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment. Data were analyzed statistically by means of paired T-test.

Results: No significant increase in the width of upper and middle horizontal airway dimension was seen. Significant increases were observed in the length of vertical airway dimension (P<0.001).

Conclusion: These results demonstrated that Tongue Appliance doesn’t affect sagittal airway dimensions but it increases vertical dimensions in the short time.

Keywords: Maxillary deficiency; Maxillary protrusion; Pharyngeal airway; Tongue appliance; Upper airway

Published on: Sep 8, 2014 Pages: 1-3

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2394-8418.000001
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