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Abstract
Purpose: The study retrospectively determined the average sagittal pharyngeal airway widths in Class II males and females between 7 to 16 years of age and changes in sagittal airway with increasing age. Additionally, this study determined whether average airway differs between gender at each age and compared the average airway widths in relation to increasing age between Class I and II patients. Materials and Methods: Longitudinal cephalograms were digitally traced for 38 untreated subjects (23 males, 15 females) from age 7 to 16 with skeletal and dental Class II patterns. These records were previously taken through growth studies conducted between 1930-70s. Six horizontal lines perpendicular to Orbitale Vertical were traced through the following landmarks: anterior nasal spine (1A-1B), A-point (2A-2B), upper incisor tip (3A-3B), B-point (4A-4B), pogonion (5A-5B), soft palate tip (6A-6B). The intersections of these planes with the anterior and posterior limits of the airway were measured. Results: Class II: Males had more sagittal airway width, ranging from 2-8mm more than that of females at 1A-1B, 2A-2B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 6A-6B (P=0.00-0.04). There was a
significant increase in sagittal width from 7 to 16 years of age at 1A-1B for females (P=0.02) and 5A-5B for males (P=0.00). Class I vs. II: While Class I females had more significant airway width at 3A-3B and 5A-5B than Class II females at age 11 and 12, respectively, the vice versa was true at 4A-4B at age 12. Class II males had more airway width at 1A-1B, 4A-4B, and 5A-5B of 1-7mm more than Class I males (P=0.00-0.05). No statistical difference was found in change in airway with increasing age between Class I and II patients. Conclusions: Class II males had more airway width of 2-8mm more than that of Class II females at 1A-1B, 2A-2B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 6A-6B (P=0.00-0.04). Class II males had more airway width at 1A-1B, 4A-4B, and 5A-5B of 1-7mm more than that of Class I males (P=0.00-0.05). Sagittal airway widths increased by a few millimeters in Class I and II patients with increasing age from 7 to 16
