Correlation between Craniocervical Posture and Upper Airway Dimension in Patients with Bilateral Anterial Disc Displacement

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between upper airway dimension and craniocervical posture in adult patients with bilateral anterior disc displacement and to provide some references for clinical diagnosis and plan formulation in orthodontics. Methods Based on RDC/TMD diagnostic criteria of two experienced TMJ specialists, 98 Patients were divided into three groups: bilateral disc normal position group (BN), bilateral anterior disc displacement with reduction group (ADDWR) and bilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction group (ADDWoR). Inter-group comparison and correlation analysis were performed after 11 craniocervical posture and 15 upper airway dimension items were measured by Dolphin and Uceph software in Two or Three-dimensional. Results Anterior disc displacement often accompanied with tilt and extension of craniocervical posture, as ADDWR or ADDWoR have significantly higher cervical curvature and inclination than BN group. Simultaneously anterior disc displacement often associated with constrained upper airway dimension for the total or each segment volume of upper airway and the minimum cross-sectional sagittal diameter of glossopharynx were significantly smaller in ADDWR or ADDWoR than BN group. Correlation analysis revealed that C0-C1 (the distance from the base of the occipital bone (C0) to the posterior arch of the atlas (C1)) is significantly related to the total and each segment upper airway volume. Conclusion There exists close correlation between anterior disc displacement and craniocervical posture forward extension, which may be physiologically adaptive cervical extension to keep oropharyngeal airway unobstructed as upper airway dimension constrained by anterior disc displacement. Clinical relevance These findings allow us to infer the potential consequences if the treatment of anterior disc displacement would result in an improvement of intervertebral relationships and upper airway constraint.