Title
Evaluation of upper airway dimensions among different skeletal patterns using lateral cephalometry: A cross-sectional study from Central India
Authors
Neha Patil1, Richa Sharma2,*, Roshni Chaturvedi3, Mandeep Shilpi4, Sakshi Garg5& Ayesha Tanveer6
Affiliation
1Department of Dentistry, Community Health Centre, Obaidullaganj, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India; 2Department of Dentistry, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India; 3Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India; 4Department of Orthodontics, College of Dental Science and Hospital, Rau, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India; 5Department of Orthodontics, Surendra Dental College and Hospital, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India; 6Department of Dentistry, District Hospital, Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, India; *Corresponding author
Neha Patil - E-mail: nehapatil58791@gmail.com
Richa Sharma - E-mail: richa.sharma.rs25@gmail.com
Roshni Chaturvedi- E-mail: roshnimishra03@gmail.com
Mandeep Shilpi- E-mail: drmandeepshilpi@gmail.com
Sakshi Garg - E-mail: dr.sakshigarg0105@gmail.com
Ayesha Tanveer- E-mail: ayeshatanveer004@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received July 1, 2026; Revised July 31, 2026; Accepted July 31, 2026, Published July 31, 2026
Abstract
Alterations in craniofacial skeletal relationships may influence pharyngeal airway dimensions and increase the risk of airway constriction and sleep-related breathing disorders. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the pharyngeal airway dimensions among skeletal Class I, II and III individuals using pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of 90 orthodontic patients (16–25 years), categorized by ANB angle (n = 30 per group). Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces were measured and statistically compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. Class II subjects exhibited significantly reduced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces compared with Class I and III (p < 0.05), while Class III patients demonstrated the largest airway dimensions. Thus, data shows the skeletal patterns significantly influence pharyngeal airway size, with Class II configurations showing greater potential for airway constriction and associated functional and respiratory implications.
Keywords
Airway space, cephalometry, skeletal malocclusion, Class II, orthodontics
Citation
Patil et al. Bioinformation 22(7): 3902-3906 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
