Assessment of changes in the natural head position and the pharyngeal airway after orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The natural head position (NHP), pharyngeal airway, and maxillofacial development are correlated. The author’s previous studies proved that following surgical correction of Skeletal Class II malocclusion, the pre-operative over-extended NHP returned upright, and the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) dimension expanded. The present study compares the post-operative change in the NHP and the PAS after orthognathic surgery in Skeletal Class II and III malocclusion patients. Materials and Methods Patients receiving orthognathic procedures to correct Skeletal Class II or III malocclusions were reviewed in this retrospective study. Their pre-operative and 6-week post-operative cone-beam computed tomography datasets were collected. Variables representing the craniofacial pattern, the NHP, and the PAS were measured three-dimensionally. Post-operative variables were compared with their pre-operative counterparts using either repeat-measure 2-way analyses of variance or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Results Forty-three cases of 61 patients were involved. After surgery, the differences in craniofacial pattern and the NHP between Skeletal Class II and III malocclusion groups decreased, and the PAS increased in both groups. Conclusion Orthognathic surgery corrects dysgnathia, neutralizes the NHP, and increases the PAS in Skeletal Class II and III malocclusion patients. Clinical relevance Orthognathic surgery provides potential benefits to NHP and pharyngeal airway in addition to correcting maxillofacial deformities.