Assessment of Oropharyngeal Widths in Individuals with Different Facial Skeletal Patterns

Abstract

Background and objectives: The relationship between airway patency and craniofacial development is highly debated and controversial subject. Hence this was conducted with the aims and objectives of comparing and correlating the upper & lower Oropharyngeal widths in individuals with horizontal growth pattern with that of individuals having vertical growth pattern.Methodology: 60 subjects (30 males & 30 females) in the age group of 16 to 20 years were selected as per inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups (Group I and Group II) according to their skeletal pattern in vertical plane based on Jarabak' sratio and Y axis. . Pharyngeal width measurement was done based on McNamara analysis The data obtained was statistically evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test (Z test).Results: Significant correlation was found between facial skeletal patterns and upper and lower Oropharyngeal widths. The subjects with vertical skeletal pattern were found to have significantly narrower upper airways and broader lower airways than those with horizontal skeletal pattern.Interpretation and conclusion: The study supports the existence of a relationship between facial skeletal patterns and upper and lower oropharyngeal widths.