Importance and Calculation of Pharyngeal Spaces and Hyoid Position Before and After Orthognathic Surgery

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine the changes in dimension of pharyngeal airway spaces (PAS) and hyoid bone position after surgery in class II and class III skeletal malocclusion. Methods: This study included 50 patients of class II and class III skeletal and dental malocclusion who had undergone orthognathic surgery. The pre and post treatment lateral cephalograms were taken to calculate upper and lower air way spaces and position of hyoid bone was also measured before and after the surgery. Results: Changes in upper and lower airway spaces and alteration in the location of hyoid bone was seen in Class II cases only. Conclusion: Maintaining of lower air way spaces in surgical class III cases of mandibular set back and position of hyoid bone is very important.