The impact of hyoid bone position on the airway volume in patients with sagittal jaw relationship anomalies

BACKGROUND: The relationship between malocclusion and respiratory function is a pressing issue in modern orthodontics, as the position of the hyoid bone directly influences airway volume in patients with sagittal jaw relationship anomalies. Over the past decade, various authors have developed cephalometric analysis methods for assessing hyoid bone position using both lateral cephalometric radiographs and head and neck computed tomography. However, none of these methods have conclusively established an association between a distal jaw relationship and an increase in airway volume, or a mesial relationship and airway constriction. Thus, this issue remains unresolved.

AIM: To determine the impact of hyoid bone position on the airway volume in patients with sagittal jaw relationship anomalies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two comparison groups were formed: the first included 74 patients with a tendency toward distal occlusion, and the second comprised 52 patients with a tendency toward mesial jaw relationship. The hyoid bone position was assessed on lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients with sagittal dentoalveolar anomalies by analyzing the GoMeH angle, formed by the tangent to the body of the mandible and the most superior and anterior point on the hyoid bone. Airway volume was analyzed using the Invivo 5 software (Anatomage, USA), based on the D.C. Hatcher color scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13.0. Mean values were compared using Student’s t-test, and statistical significance was evaluated using a two-sample t-test and p-value.

RESULTS: A correlation was established between hyoid bone position and airway volume in patients with sagittal jaw relationship anomalies. In patients with mesial occlusion, the GoMeH angle decreased, but the airway lumen did not narrow. In patients with a distal jaw relationship, the GoMeH angle increased, but the airway volume either increased or decreased.

CONCLUSION: The position of the hyoid bone is directly linked to sagittal jaw relationship anomalies and affects airway volume. The obtained data can be applied in prosthodontic practice and orthodontic treatment planning, as well as for monitoring the treatment quality of sagittal malocclusions.