Effects of Various Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthognathic Treatment Modalities on Pharyngeal Airway

Abstract

The function of respiration is highly relevant to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Significant relationships between pharyngeal, craniofacial as well as dentofacial structures have been reported in several studies. Many authors have emphasized that mouth breathing is concomitantly associated with constricted airway causing obstructive sleep apnoea. Associated symptoms can be cured with correction of either skeletal or dental problems or both. Therefore it would be very intriguing to understand and interpret the airway during diagnosis and treatment planning for a clear view of changes in the airway dimensions during the course of orthodontic treatment using various treatment modalities. Therefore a complete understanding of the concept of airway should be considered as an important one. This chapter gives us an insight to the intricate detailing on how the various orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatment signifies the changes in the dimensions of pharyngeal airway.