Abstract
The "upper" airway, which is the most frequently analyzed portion in orthodontics and oral maxillofacial surgery, is divided anatomically into nasopharyix, oropharynx and the hypopharynx. This chapter summarizes several of the historical methods used to describe the airway, to discuss the limitations of these earlier methods, and to examine how new noninvasive low radiation dose and true 3D images enable the practitioner to better understand airway size, shape, and volume. Several initial investigations that have used this new technology to study the potential effects of clinical interventions on airway dimensional changes also are described. The airway parameters in healthy and apneic subjects are also discussed. Prior to adapting a new technology such as CBCT to examine the airway, its measurement accuracy and reliability must be validated. Both linear and angular measurements from CBCTs have been shown to be highly accurate with a measurement accuracy of up to 0.1 mm.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics : Indications, Insights, and Innovations |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
| Publication date | 31 Dec 2014 |
| Edition | 1 |
| Pages | 273-291 |
| Chapter | 13 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118448489 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118674888 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2014 |
Keywords
- 3D images
- Apneic subjects
- CBCT
- Noninvasive low radiation dose
- Orthodontics
- Upper airway