Effects of reverse headgear on pharyngeal airway in patients with different vertical craniofacial features

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of reverseheadgear (RH) on pharyngeal airway morphology in two groupsof Class III patients with different vertical craniofacial features incomparison with an untreated Class III group. Seventeen subjects(9 males, 8 females; mean age 11.3 ± 0.98 years) with optimum verticalgrowth and 17 subjects (10 males, 7 females, mean age 11.5 ± 1.1 years)with a vertical growth pattern treated with a removable intra-oralappliance and a Delaire type facemask were included. An untreatedClass III control group of 11 subjects (8 males, 3 females, mean age9.1 ± 1.1 years) was included to compare the treated groups. Thepaired t-test for intragroup and one-way ANOVA for intergroupcomparisons were performed. The relationships between changes inthe craniofacial morphology and airway were assessed by Spearmancorrelation analysis. The airway dimensions at the adenoid side andsoft palate were increased in the treatment groups compared to thecontrol group (p < 0.05). The nasopharyngeal area demonstrated asignificant difference in normodivergent and control subjects (p < 0.05).No significant difference was found in the airway morphology due todifferent vertical features. The effect of RH treatment on the sagittalairway dimensions revealed no significant difference between differentvertical craniofacial features in the short term