Effects of premolar extraction on airway dimensions: A retrospective cephalometric appraisal
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Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of retraction of anterior teeth on pharyngeal
airway dimensions, after orthodontic treatment of bimaxillary protrusion cases by means of the
extraction of four premolars.
Method: A total of 88 lateral cephalometric radiograph pairs, consisting of a pre-treatment and
post-treatment radiograph taken for orthodontic treatment of bimaxillary protrusion by means of
extraction of four premolars, was used. The pharyngeal airway space, measured across three
different levels, as well as the length of the maxilla and mandible were assessed for changes from
pre-treatment to post-treatment. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree
to which the change in pharyngeal airway space was associated with the change in maxilla or
mandible length.
Results: The pre-treatment average pharyngeal airway space measurements were recorded as
15.23mm for the Superior Pharyngeal Airway Space, 11.63mm for the Middle Pharyngeal Airway
Space and 13.56mm for the Inferior Pharyngeal Airway Space. The average reduction in the
pharyngeal airway space was noted as 1.21mm, 1.64mm and 2.23mm respectively. All with
statistically significant P values of <0.001.
Description
Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent)
Keywords
Cephalometric radiographs, Airway dimension, Bimaxillary protrusion, Premolar extraction