THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MALOCCLUSION AND CRANIOFACIAL PROFILE PATHOLOGY

Introduction. In orthodontic patients often together with malocclusion there are disorders of the craniofacial structures that make orthodontic treatment difficult. Many accompanying pathologies that can be detected on Cone Beam Computed Tomography of the skull by accident and defined as findings, which are not related to the clinical indications for conducting this study, but may affect the result of orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidental findings of no interest to the orthodontist in the pathology of the craniofacial profile and cervical spine during the analysis of the CBCT of the skull and to evaluate their frequency and relationship with malocclusion in the sagittal, vertical and transverse planes. Materials and methods. A total of 280 patients with malocclusion were studied with CBCT. An X-ray evaluation of the CBCT of the craniofacial profile was carried out for pathological changes or anomalies in the development of anatomical structures of the skull. The cephalometric characteristics of the sagittal and vertical skeletal pattern were carried out according to Steiner, Transverse skeletal pattern was carried out according to Ricketts. Results. The most common pathology in patients with malocclusion is the curvature of the nasal septum in 61.4%. Cysts of the maxillary sinuses were observed in 31.1% of cases, thickening of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses in 25% of cases. A statistically significant relationship of hypoplasia of the maxillary sinuses with skeletal class III and hyperdivergent growth type was established. Conclusions. CBCT provides basic information for further necessary studies of related pathologies. Correct identification of these findings will reduce further diagnostic errors and allow choosing an appropriate treatment plan based on a multidisciplinary approach.