Pharyngeal airway in class I and class II skeletal patterns

Background: The abnormal growth and development of the oro-facial complex leads to disturbances of oro-facial functions. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the pharyngeal airway dimensions in different antero-posterior skeletal patterns i.e skeletal Class I & Class II. Methods & Materials: Sample size was calculated using Cohen’s Formula, consisted of 60 cephalogrmas from the Out-patient department of Post-Graduate department of Orthodontics & Dento facial Orthopaedics, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar. Three parameters were used for comparison between male and female subjects and between skeletal Class I & Class II. Statistical analysis: All lateral cephalograms were traced and independent t-test was used for comparison and final analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: It was found that suerioe airway space, middle airway space and inferior airway space was more in Class I subjects when compared to Class II subjects. Conclusion: A significant positive correlation was established between the airway and the skeletal pattern.