Exploring the relationship between condylar position and pharyngeal airway dimensions using 3D analysis across different skeletal patterns

This study explored the relationship between condylar position and oropharyngeal airway dimensions across various sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 330 individuals aged 12 to 18 were analyzed. The individuals were categorized into sagittal skeletal Classes I, II, and III and divided into groups based on vertical skeletal patterns. Each vertical group was further subdivided according to condylar position as anterior, centric, or posterior. Airway dimensions—specifically oropharyngeal volume (OPV), area (OPA), and minimum cross-sectional area (MCA)—along with condylar position, were measured. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for intergroup comparisons, followed by Pairwise Comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between airway parameters, age, craniofacial measurements, and condylar concentricity (CC). Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was applied to identify predictors of oropharyngeal airway dimensions based on age, anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns (ANB, FMA), and condylar concentricity. The comparison of airway dimensions within each sagittal class revealed that individuals with anterior condylar position and hyperdivergent patterns had the narrowest airway dimensions (OPV, OPA, and MCA) in Class II and III. However, when differences were evaluated between sagittal skeletal classes within each vertical pattern, Class II subjects with anterior condylar position exhibited the smallest airway dimensions. These findings emphasize the significant influence of skeletal pattern and condylar position on oropharyngeal airway dimensions. Class II individuals with anterior condylar position consistently had the smallest airway dimensions. In contrast, Class III individuals with posterior condylar position had the largest, highlighting the combined role of sagittal and vertical craniofacial patterns and condylar positioning in shaping airway morphology.