RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sagittal and vertical facial skeletal morphology, and the morphology of the upper and lower pharyngeal airway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pharyngeal airway structures were studied in 101 healthy children (36 boys and 65 girls) aged 7-17 years who were referred for orthodontic treatment. The sample was divided into two groups: according size of the ANB angle group Class I: angle till 4º was considered as skeletal Angle Class I; group Class II: ANB angle more than 4º, considered as skeletal Angle Class II. The vertical pattern was classified using the SN-MP angle, with angle less than 34 taken as normal, and more than 34 - as high vertical growth patterns. The linear measurements and angles were calculated using special purpose software (Dolphin v. 11.0). Pharyngeal width was measured at different point levels using Arnett/Gunson airway analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference between the two groups, and airway width on all levels was statistically significantly narrower in Angle Class II. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative statistically significant dependence between nasopharyngeal airway, oropharyngeal airway space, and SN-MP angle. CONCLUSION: Statistically significantly narrower airways were found in patients with ANB more than 4°. In groups divided by SN-MP angle statistically significant difference have not found. Nasopharyngeal airway and oropharyngeal airway spaces statistically significantly negatively correlated with the SN-MP angle: the bigger the SN-MP angle, the smaller were nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway spaces.
