• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 2000

In the study of craniofacial deformity, it is very important that identifying the factor which can affect the morphology and which is closely related to the morphology, because it can not only improve the comprehension of growth and developmental process but also be applied in growth prediction and treatment modality. Several investigators have already mentioned the characterstics of head posture and airway space in relations to morphologic difference. But it is very meaningful work in clarifying the correlation between morphology, head posture and airway space that observing the change of head posture after morplologic change caused by operation and the change of airway space after same procedure. To investigate above correlation, I selected normal group which is consisted of 43 adults and mandibular prognathism group which is consisted of 47 adults who had been operated by sagittal split ramus osteotomy and were followed up more than 1 year. With their lateral skull radiograghs, reference lines which can evaluate each measuring points and areas without effect of postural change were first determined. And using above reference lines, change of airway space, positional change of tongue and hyoid, change of cranial and cervical angulations were measured. The results obtained from the study were as follows 1. In the change of head posture, the position of tongue and hyoid neighboring to pharynx is more closely related to the reference line of cervical column than to reference line of cranium. 2. After mandibular setback operation, the airway dimension was decreased to 81.6% of preoperative state at 1 month postoperatively and was slightly increased to 89.7% at 1 year postoperatively. 3. Posterior movement of tongue plays important role in decrease of airway dimension and inferior movement of hyoid was closely correlated with posterior movement of tongue. 4. Postoperative anterior movement of mandible, namely, morphologic relapse had correlation with relapse phenomenon of airway dimension. 5. Craniocervical angulation increased postoperatively. Especially in the postoperative early state, there was increased foreward inclination of cervical angulation rather than increase of cranial angulation. But at postoperative 1 year it was observed that cervical inclination was returned to preoperative state and cranial angulation was increased gradually. 6. Increase rate of airway dimension was correlated with the increase of cranial angulation from postoperative 1 month to 1 year. In conclusion, relapse tendency of airway dimension following increase of cranial angulation was found after mandibular setback operation and it is considered that increase of cranial angulation is one of compensatory mechanism in airway maintenance.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2006

After orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients, the hyoid bone position and the upper airway dimension could be changed due to mandibular setback. There has been many studies about airway dimension of the patients with skeletal class II malocclusion or obstructive sleep apnea. but not with skeletal class III. The purpose of this study was to examine the change of position of the hyoid bone and the consequent change of airway space as the result of retrusion of mandible after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Cl III malocclusion patients. It is also to apply this results in predicting, diagnosing and treating the subsequent obstructive sleep apnea. Forty patients who were diagnosed as skeletal Cl III maloccusion, received orthoganthic surgery of both jaws including mandibular setback, and were followed up post-operatively for more than 6 months were selected. There were 10 male patients 30 female patients. The preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms were traced and the distances and angles were measured. The nasopharyngeal space increased postoperatively while the oropharyngeal space decreased. Except for the change of oroparyngeal space, the changes in male patients were greater than female patients. The hyoid bone moved in the posterior-inferior direction, and the change was greater in males than in females. If the postoperative mandibular setback is great, then a significant decrease of airway space and posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone were observed. This can result in symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea. This result should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment planning of orthognathic surgery patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2004

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent cessation of breathing due to complete or partial upper airway occlusion during sleep. The incompetent tone of palatal, pharngeal, and glossal muscles which fail to maintain airway patency during sleep causes narrowing of the airway dimension and increased resistance of breathing. The identification of the sites of upper airway obstruction in patients with OSA is important in understanding the pathogenesis and deciding the treatment modality of snoring and/or OSA. Various upper airway imaging modalities have been used to assess upper airway size and precise localization of the sites of upper airway obstruction during sleep. Dynamic imaging modalities enabled assessment of dimensional changes in the upper airway during respiration and sleep. This article focused on reviews of various upper airway imaging modalities, especially dynamic upper airway imaging studies providing important information on the pathogenesis of OSA.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.307-314
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• 2017

In this study, a minimum amount of the vertical occlusion was secured differently in each type of mandibular advance devices snoring and Class I malocclusion patients wore these devices. This study analyzes, after the use of devices, a different amount of the vertical occlusion results in a change of the area of upper airway by additional changes such as mandibular position, muscle changes, tongue position. The higher the vertical amount, the area of the upper airway was shown smaller, And if the patient's tongues was prevented from the distal movement, the area of the upper airway had increased, To reduce snoring, doctors should accurately diagnose patients' occlusal relationships and select a MAD snoring that is appropriate for the occlusion. The dental technician who builds the selected device should also consider design settings such as the amount of vertical occlusion, the finish lines, and the thickness of the device to increase the effectiveness of the device.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal dimensions of individuals with skeletal class II, division 1 and division 2 patterns during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods for comparison with a skeletal class I control group. Materials and Methods: Totally 124 lateral cephalograms (47 for skeletal class I; 45 for skeletal class II, division 1; and 32 for skeletal class II, division 2) in pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods were selected from the department archives. Thirteen landmarks, 4 angular and 4 linear measurements, and 4 proportional calculations were obtained. The ANOVA and Duncan test were applied to compare the differences among the study groups during the growth periods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the skeletal class II, division 2 group and other groups for the gonion-gnathion/sella-nasion angle. The sella-nasion-B-point angle was different among the groups, while the A-point-nasion-B-point angle was significantly different for all 3 groups. The nasopharyngeal airway space showed a statistically significant difference among the groups throughout the growth periods. The interaction among the growth periods and study groups was statistically significant regarding the upper oropharyngeal airway space measurement. The lower oropharyngeal airway space measurement showed a statistically significant difference among the groups, with the smallest dimension observed in the skeletal class II, division 2 group. Conclusion: The naso-oropharyngeal airway dimensions showed a statistically significant difference among the class II, division 1; class II, division 2; and class I groups during different growth periods.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of the long-term use of a maxillary protraction facemask with miniplate (FM-MP) on pharyngeal airway dimensions in growing patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Methods: The study included 24 boys with CLP (mean age, 12.2 years; mean duration of FM-MP therapy, 4.9 years), divided into two groups according to the amount of A point advancement to the vertical reference plane (VRP): Group 1, > 4 mm; Group 2, < 2 mm; n = 12/group. After evaluating the skeletodental and airway variables using lateral cephalograms acquired before and after FM-MP therapy, statistical analyses were performed. Results: Group 1 showed greater forward and downward displacements of the posterior maxilla (posterior nasal spine [PNS]-horizontal reference plane [HRP]; PNS-VRP), greater increase in ANB, more forward tongue position (tongue tip-Pt vertical line to Frankfort horizontal plane), and greater increase in the oropharynx (superior posterior airway space [SPAS]; middle airway space [MAS]) and upper nasopharynx (PNS-adenoid2) than did Group 2. While maxillary advancement (A-VRP and PNS-VRP) correlated with increases in SPAS, MAS, and PNS-adenoid2, downward displacement of the PNS (PNS-HRP) correlated with increases in SPAS, MAS, PNS-adenoid1, and PNS-adenoid2, and with a decrease in vertical airway length (VAL). Mandibular forward displacement and decrease in mandibular plane correlated with increases in MAS. Conclusions: FM-MP therapy had positive effects on the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway spaces without increases in VAL in Group 1 rather than in Group 2. However, further validation using an untreated control group is necessary.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.166-178
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate dimensional changes in regional pharyngeal airway spaces after premolar extraction in bimaxillary skeletal protrusion (BSP) patients according to vertical skeletal pattern, and to further identify dentoskeletal risk factors to predict posttreatment pharyngeal changes. Methods: Fifty-five adults showing BSP treated with microimplant anchorage after four premolar extractions were included in this retrospective study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the mandibular plane steepness: hyperdivergent (Frankfort horizontal plane to mandibular plane [FH-MP] ≥ 30) and nonhyperdivergent groups (FH-MP < 30). The control group consisted of 20 untreated adults with skeletal Class I normodivergent pattern and favorable profile. Treatment changes in cephalometric variables were evaluated and compared. The association between posttreatment changes in the dentoskeletal and upper airway variables were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results: The BSP patients showed no significant decrease in the pharyngeal dimensions to the lower level in comparison with controls, except for middle airway space (MAS, p < 0.01). The upper airway variable representing greater decrease in the hyperdivergent group than in the nonhyperdivergent group was the MAS (p < 0.01). Posttreatment changes in FH-MP had negative correlation with changes in MAS (β = -0.42, p < 0.01) and inferior airway space (β = -0.52, p < 0.01) as a result of multivariable regression analysis adjusted for sagittal skeletal relationship. Conclusions: Decreased pharyngeal dimensions after treatment in BSP patients showed no significant difference from the normal range of pharyngeal dimensions. However, the glossopharyngeal airway space may be susceptible to treatment when vertical dimension increased in hyperdivergent BSP patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.439-446
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify correlations between the STOP-Bang score and upper airway dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: This study included 101 subjects (46 men, 55 women) from dental patients who received CBCT scans from 2014 to 2020. The patients were divided into those with a low obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) risk (STOP-Bang score<3) and those with an intermediate to high OSA risk (STOP-Bang score≥3), and their upper airway dimensions were then analysed on CBCT scans. Comparisons between the low-risk and intermediate/high-risk groups were conducted using the t-test and the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations between the total STOP-Bang score and upper airway dimension parameters were established using Spearman correlation coefficients. P values≤0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Intermediate/high-risk subjects were predominantly male and over 50 years of age, with a higher body mass index. They had significantly longer upper airways, smaller average airway volumes, and smaller widths and antero-posterior dimensions of the narrowest upper airway segment. The total upper airway length was positively correlated with the STOP-Bang score (r_s=0.278). The average volume (r_s= -0.203) and width of the narrowest upper airway segment(r_s= -0.305) were both negatively correlated with STOP-Bang scores. Conclusion: Subjects with higher STOP-Bang scores had upper airways that were longer, narrower, and smaller in terms of average volume. CBCT scans taken for dental patients as part of investigative procedures could be correlated with STOP-Bang scores to screen for patients at risk of OSA.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.37 no.3 s.122
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• pp.192-203
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• 2007

Objective: The aim of this study was assessment of the relationship between airway space and facial morphology in Class III children with nasal obstruction. Methods: For this study, 100 Class III children (50 boys and 50 girls) were chosen. All subjects were refered to ENT, due to nasal obstruction. Airway space measurements and facial morphology measurements were measured on lateral cephalometric radiograph. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between airway space and facial morphology Results: Ramal height, SNA, SNB, PFH, FHR and facial plane angle were positively related to upper PAS, and sum of saddle angle, articular angle, and genial angle, SN-GoGn, Y-axis to SN and FMA negatively related to upper PAS. Genial angle, FMA were positively related to lower PAS, and articular angle, facial depth, PFH and FHR negatively related to lower PAS. PCBL, ramal height, Mn. body length, Mn. body length to ACBL, facial depth, facial length, PFH and AFH were positively related to tonsil size. Sum of saddle angle, articular angle, genial angle, facial length, AFH, FMA and LFH were positively related to tongue gap, and IMPA and overbite was negatively related to tongue gap. Upper PAS, related to size of adenoid tissue, was mainly related to posterior facial dimension following a vertical growth pattern of face and mandibular rotation. Lower PAS and tonsil size, related to anterior-posterior tongue base position, were significantly related to each other. Lower PAS was related to growth pattern of mandible, and tonsil size was related to size of mandible and horizontal growth pattern of face. Tongue gap was related to anterior facial dimension following a vertical growth pattern of face. Conclusion: Significant relationship exists between airway space and facial morphology.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2007

Introduction. In patients with mandibular prognathism, Bilateral Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy(BSSRO) combined with orthodontic treatment reduces oral volume and influences tongue and other surrounding tissues. Purpose of this study was to analyze post-operative tongue position and airway dimension, as well as mandibular changes in vertical, horizontal, and angular dimensions. Materials and methods. Height of dorsum of tongue, width of airway, gonial angle and lower facial height of mandibular prognathic patients who visited Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2006 were anaylzed via pre-operative and post-operative cephalograms. T-test was used to compare pre-operative and post-operative measurements. Also, correlations among pre-operative measurements of the patients were analyzed. Results and conclusion. A significant correlation was shown between ANS-Xi-PM area and location of dorsum of tongue in pre-operative patients. A significant superior movement of tongue and decrease of airway width was observed in post-operative patients. Also the upper gonial angle decreased significantly.