Noel Moser

Abstract

Investigations into the effects of airway patency on craniofacial development are essential to ensure that interceptive orthodontic treatment provides the maximum benefit to the patient. The aims of this study were to (1) compare the size of the nasopharyngeal airway space on lateral cephalometric and 3D volumetric radiographs to determine if volumetric scans can be of greater diagnostic value than a lateral cephalometric film in determining the degree of airway blockage or patency and (2) to examine the correlation between functional airway resistance, as evaluated by rhinomanometry, and radiographic constriction due to nasal turbinate and adenoid size.

Twenty-eight subjects from a private practice in Northern Italy (17 females and 11 males) and 5 subjects from Loma Linda University (3 females and 2 males) participated. The following orthodontic records were analyzed: lateral cephalometric radiographs, Newtom 9000 volumetric radiographs, rhinomanometric readings and photographs. The lateral cephalometric and the Newtom radiographs were used to analyze the airway obstruction from adenoid tissue using Linder-Aronson s standard airway measurements. The Newtom radiographs were also used to evaluate the degree to which the turbinates and adenoids constricted the airway. Rhinomanometric readings were used to indirectly determine the resistance of the upper airway by directly measuring flow and pressure through the left and right nostrils.

The results showed that 3-D volumetric scans are of greater diagnostic value than a lateral cephalometric film in determining the degree of airway blockage or patency using Linder-Aronson and Ricketts airway measurements. The soft and hard tissue landmark measurements were distinct and relatively accurate on the 3D volumetric scans. We also observed no direct correlation between functional airway resistance, as measured by rhinomanometry, and anatomical radiographic constriction of the nasopharyngeal airway space due to nasal turbinate and adenoid hypertrophy.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Department

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Joseph M. Caruso

Second Advisor

Ivan Dus

Third Advisor

James Farrage

Fourth Advisor

Leroy Leggitt

Fifth Advisor

Jay Kim

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2002

Date (Title Page)

8-2002

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Orthodontics, Corrective; Rhinomanometry; Nose -- physiology; Malocclusion -- classification; Needs Assessment; Nasal Cavity -- physiology

Type

Thesis

Page Count

xi; 69

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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