West China Journal of Stomatology ›› 2025, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (1): 53-62.doi: 10.7518/hxkq.2025.2024184

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparison of upper airway volume and hyoid position after camouflage orthodontic or orthodontic-orthognathic treatment in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion with normal-angle vertical pattern

ChingCho Hsu1(), Liu Haojie1,2,3, Lin Chengzhao1, Liu Zhenhao4, Zhai Ye1, Guo Shuyu1,2,3, Xu Rongyao1,2,3,5()   

  1. 1.Stomatological College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
    2.State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing 210029, China
    3.Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
    4.School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
    5.Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
  • Received:2024-05-10 Revised:2024-11-14 Online:2025-02-01 Published:2025-01-22
  • Contact: Xu Rongyao E-mail:cchsu@stu.njmu.edu.cn;rongyaoxu@njmu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    The National Natural Science Foundation of China(82270943)

Abstract:

Objective This study aims to compare the effects of two orthodontic treatment modalities for skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion on specific changes in airway volume, morphology, palatal angle, mandibular rotation, and bone displacement. Results provide scientific evidence for the selection of orthodontic treatment plans and reduce the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Thirty-six patients diagnosed with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion at the Department of Orthodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2018 to December 2023 were divided into two groups: orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group (18 patients) and camouflage orthodontic treatment group (18 patients). Changes in airway volume, cross-sectional area, palatal angle, mandibular, and tongue positions were observed through pre- and post-operative cone beam computed tomography and 3D cephalometric measurements. Results In the camouflage orthodontic treatment group, nasopharyngeal volume and oropharyngeal volume statistically increased after treatment (P<0.05). In the orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group, changes in nasopharyngeal volume, nasopharyngeal airway, distance from posterior tongue to pharyngeal wall, palatal angle, mandibular rotation, and hyoid bone displacement were statistically significant after surgery (P<0.05). In the comparison between the two groups after treatment, changes in the distance from posterior tongue to pharyngeal wall, palatal angle, and distance from hyoid bone to sella turcica point were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients in the orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group showed significantly greater changes in oropharyngeal cross-sectional area, palate angle, and tongue position compared with patients in the camouflage orthodontic treatment group. As individuals susceptible to OSAHS often exhibit mandibular retrusion and decreased minimum airway cross-sectional area, special attention should be paid to airway morphology changes when adopting orthodontic-orthognathic treatment to avoid adverse consequences.

Key words: camouflage orthodontic treatment, orthodontic-orthognathic treatment, skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion, airway volume, hyoid bone displacement, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

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