Nasal Airway Patency

This study aims to confirm the nasal airway patency observed in standard dental radiographs through analysis of the anterior nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume with acoustic rhinometry.

Participants for this study were chosen from the patient population under consideration for interceptive orthodontic treatment at Tufts University’s Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. A total of 55 Caucasian subjects of both sexes (males=28, females =27) and ranging from age 6- 9 years (mean = 7.33) were enrolled.

Utilizing the ImageJ program, the subjects’ panoramic and PA cephalometric radiographs were analyzed for radiolucent anterior nasal cross-sectional area. The subjects were then examined with the Eccovision Acoustic Rhinometer (Sleep Group Solutions), which measured anterior nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume. The data were grouped together, and the areas and volume gathered from the radiographs and rhinometer were analyzed for any correlation. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program.