Assessment and Comparison of Oropharyngeal Airway Dimensions in Skeletal Class II Cases Treated With Forsus FRD and Twin Block Appliances

Abstract

Aims: To assess the changes in the oropharyngeal airway (OAW) dimensions in individuals with retrognathic mandible treated with Forsus FRD and Twin Block appliance to correct the skeletal Class II mal relationship. Methodology: 40 individuals, with Class II skeletal pattern were selected as per inclusion criteria. Pre-treatment lateral cephalograms and hand wrist radiographs were obtained and analyzed. Group 1 with 20 individuals were treated with Forsus FRD and Group 2 with 20 individuals were treated with conventional Twin Block Appliance. Post treatment records were taken after the Class I molar relationship had been obtained. Pre and post treatment cephalograms were compared and analyzed. The data obtained was statistically evaluated using paired t test and unpaired t test. Results: On comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment cephalograms, increase in Oropharyngeal Airway (OAW) measurements, such as Superior posterior airway space (SPAS), Middle airway space (MAS) and Inferior airway space (IAS) was very highly significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest the existence of a relationship between functional-orthopaedic treatment and increases in OAW dimensions in skeletal Class II growing subjects.