Risk of Narrow Upper Airway in Class II Children with Large Horizontal Maxillary Overjet Assessed By Acoustic...

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Class II malocclusion with a large horizontal maxillary overjet is common in children.
• Upper airway dimensions can influence breathing patterns and potentially contribute to sleep-disordered breathing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate upper airway dimensions using acoustic reflection in children with class II malocclusion and large overjet.
• To compare these measurements with children exhibiting a neutral occlusion.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving children aged 9-14 years.
• Acoustic pharyngometry and rhinometry were used to assess airway dimensions.
• Statistical analysis included chi-square, general linear model, and Mann-Whitney tests.

Main Results:

• Children with class II malocclusion and large overjet showed significantly reduced minimal cross-sectional area in both nostrils.
• Increased nasal resistance and reduced nasal volume were observed in the study group.
• No significant differences were found in pharyngeal measurements.

Conclusions:

• Class II malocclusion with a large overjet is associated with narrower nasal airways and increased resistance.
• These findings indicate a potential risk factor for sleep-disordered breathing in this pediatric population.
• Acoustic reflection offers a non-invasive method for assessing upper airway narrowing in orthodontic patients.