Background: Narrowing of the pharyngeal airway passage (PAP) and adaptations in the soft palate are common among subjects with retrognathic mandible. Among subjects with obstructive sleep apneoa, the position of the mandible is often retrognathic in relation to the cranial base. Aim of the study:To evaluate change in pharyngeal dimensions in patients using twin-block appliance.Materials and method:The present study was conducted in the post graduate Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics of the dental hospital. For the study, we selected 32 growing subjects in the age range of 9 to 14 years with skeletal Class II malocclusion associated with mandibular retrognathism. The pharyngeal airway (PA) dimension was evaluated from lateral cephalograms. The variables evaluated were superior pharyngeal airway Space (SPS); Middle pharyngeal airway Space (MAS); Inferior pharyngeal airway Space (IAS); vertical airway length (VAL) soft palate length (SPL); soft palate thickness (SPT). The Lateral cephalograms with teeth in occlusion were obtained for all subjects before the start of treatment and at the end of the treatment (treatment time 1 year ±3.6 months). Results: The age of subjects ranged from 9-14 years. Number of male subjects was 16 and female subjects were 16. The results for Inferior pharyngeal airway Space (IAS) were statistically significant. Although superior pharyngeal airway Space (SPS); Middle pharyngeal airway Space (MAS) were found to be increased in post treatment group but were not found statistically significant. Conclusion: From the results we conclude that use of twin-block appliance for Class II patients corrects sagittal dimension of inferior pharyngeal airway (IAS).
Keywords: Malocclusion, pharyngeal dimensions, Twin-block appliance, orthodontics.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Sneh Kalgotra, Registrar, Post Graduate Department of Orthodontics & Orthopaedics, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

This article may be cited as: Kalgotra S, Mushtaq M. Evaluation of change in Pharyngeal Dimensions in Patients using Twin-Block Appliance- Pre & Post Treatment Comparison. Int J Res Health Allied Sci 2017;3(6):98-101.