Three-dimensional assessment of morphological variations in oropharyngeal airway of skeletal class III malocclusions among different age groups in adolescent patients: A retrospective study

Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate and compare morphological variations in the oropharyngeal airway among different age groups in adolescent skeletal class III patients. Material and Methods: The subjects, consisting of 318 boys and girls, were initially divided into two groups for the study: one group was labeled skeletal Class III, and the other was labeled skeletal Class I. We further divided the groups into three categories: early adolescents (aged 10–13 years), middle adolescents (aged 14–16 years), and late adolescents (aged 17–19 years). For assessing the impact of a change in adolescent age, the two groups were compared in terms of oropharyngeal variables using a t -test. One-way analysis of variance and pairwise comparisons were used to make comparisons between more than 2 groups. Using a Chi-square test, we compared the frequencies of different categories of variables between the groups. Results: In late adolescents, skeletal class III subjects had significantly higher levels of posterior airway space (PAS) than early and middle adolescents. In middle and late adolescents, oropharyngeal (OP) volume was significantly higher than in early adolescents for both skeletal class III and skeletal class I groups. In late adolescents, skeletal class III subjects had significantly higher PAS and OP volume than skeletal class I subjects. Males and females showed significant differences in oropharyngeal variables. Conclusion: Different adolescent age groups had an effect on the posterior airway space and OP airway volume, as observed. Males and females showed significant differences in oropharyngeal variables.