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Sex differences in pharyngeal airway morphology in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion
Maria Fernanda Rabelo Bozzini1, José Valladares-Neto2, João Batista de Paiva1
1a Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
Objectives:
To compare the pharyngeal airway dimensions in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion and well-balanced faces, to ascertain whether sex can influence such measurements and to correlate skeletal pattern with pharyngeal dimensions.
Methodology:
Fifty adults were recruited and assigned to two groups: skeletal Class III (n = 25; 12 males and 13 females, mean age = 26.1 years), and skeletal Class I (n = 25; 11 males and 14 females, mean age = 26.0 years), with well-balanced faces. Pharyngeal measurements were made using cone beam computed tomography and analyzed with Dolphin Imaging software 11.5.
Results:
Pharyngeal sagittal area, length, retroglossal area and width were statistically greater for males. Pharyngeal volume was greater for Class III patients (p = .0245), due to enlarged male dimensions. A significant but moderate correlation was observed between pharyngeal airway volume and ANB angle (r = -.4917) and effective mandibular length (Co-Gn, r = .5181).
Conclusion:
There is sexual differentiation in the pharyngeal airway morphology for Class III adults. As females present similar pharynx volume compared to a normal skeletal pattern, mandibular setback surgery should be carefully planned because of the risk of airway constriction.
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