The Airway Volume Related to the Maxillo-Mandibular Position Using 3D Analysis

The aim of this research was to compare three cephalometric analyses and their correlation with the airway volume in subjects with different skeletal classes using 2D and 3D images. Study Design. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Material and Method. Steiner, McNamara, and Ricketts analyses and the airway volume were compared in 115 subjects who were candidates for orthognathic surgery under diagnosis using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT); 46 males (40%) and 69 females (60%) were included. The sagittal positions of the maxilla and mandible, the angulation of the mandibular plane, the sagittal positions of the upper and lower incisors, measurements of the largest or shortest airway area, and the volume were compared using Spearman's test considering a p value < 0.05.

Differences were observed between the Steiner and McNamara techniques for the sagittal position of the maxilla (p = 0.01). For mandibular angulation, there was a greater difference between values for Steiner and Ricketts techniques (p = 0.001). In the upper incisor, the results for McNamara and Ricketts techniques were significantly different (p = 0.004). Analysing the airway, subjects with a class II skeletal pattern had a smaller volume than those with a class III pattern (p = 0.034).

It may be concluded that skeletal class II patients have a significantly smaller airway volume than class III patients. The skeletal parameter does not always relate to the airway volume; however, the high mandibular angle could be related to the airway conditions.