Cephalometric evaluation of the airway dimensions in subjects with different growth patterns

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the pharyngeal airway dimensions by cephalometric examination of individuals with different morphological patterns. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised pretreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of 90 subjects, aged 16-25, which were divided into three distinct groups, according to their morphological patterns, that is, hypodivergent, normodivergent and hyperdivergent. The upper and lower pharyngeal airways were assessed according to McNamara's airways analysis. Results: The results showed that the upper and lower pharyngeal width in hyperdivergent growth patterns subjects was statistically significantly narrower than in the normodivergent and hypodivergent growth pattern groups ( P Conclusions: Subjects with vertical growth patterns have significantly narrower upper and lower pharyngeal airways than those with Class II malocclusions and horizontal and normal growth patterns. These patients may be more prone to mouth breathing as a result of their relatively diminished pharyngeal dimensions.