Is there a Correlation between Airways Dimensions and Transversal Dental Distances in Children with Different Growth Patterns?

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between airway dimension sizes, transversal dental distances, and craniofacial growth pattern.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, between March 2018 and December 2023.

Methodology: A sample of 271 children aged between 7 and 10 years was evaluated. Airways and facial angles were measured to determine the pattern of facial growth. Maxillary transverse dimensions were assessed using plaster study models. Two groups were delimited with 30 individuals each according to the most extreme facial measurements: patients with horizontal and vertical growth tendency. The correlations between nasopharynx and oropharynx size with maxillary intercanine and intermolar distances in different craniofacial growth patterns were evaluated.

Results: Vertical group presented significantly smaller dimensions of the nasopharynx and maxillary intercanine distance. Oropharynx dimension and intermolar distance are similar for both vertical and horizontal patterns. There was no significant correlation between nasopharynx and oropharynx size and maxillary intercanine and intermolar distances.

Conclusion: Patients with a vertical growth pattern have smaller nasopharyngeal dimensions and greater anterior maxillary atresia than patients with a horizontal growth pattern. Oropharyngeal dimensions and maxillary intermolar distance are similar in different growth patterns.