Association of Morphological Varieties of Soft Palate and Airway Measurement Among Riyadh Population: A Retrospective Cephalometric Analysis.

Background

It is anticipated that the size and morphology of the airways will shift because of the development of the maxillofacial bone and the soft tissues. The soft palate plays a major role in various functions and may have an impact over the changes in the airway. Aim: To evaluate the association of morphological varieties of soft palate and airway measurement among three different age-groups of Riyadh population. Methodology: Patients who were obese, had mild-to-moderate breathing issue, and young patients seeking orthodontic treatment were advised to get lateral cephalogram. Further, they were divided into three age-groups and the upper airway diameter (UAD), mandibular plane hyoid distance (MN-HY) was measured. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Result: This study involved 831 patients, among which, 31-50-year-olds had greater mean UAD (12.54 ± 3.74), whereas 50+ had higher MN-HY (13.23 ± 6.22). S-shaped soft palate had greater mean UAD (19.63 ± 8.14), but straight line-shaped had higher MN-HY (13.94 ± 5.8). People between the ages of 10 and 30 (100%) had an undefined soft palate shape, while those between 31 and 50 years (38.2%) had a crooked one and those over 50 (34.1%) had a straight one (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression demonstrates that the MN-HY ( = 1.607; p < 0.001) is substantially associated with older age-groups (p < 0.001). The majority of straight-line soft palates were associated with the majority of normal range UAD and MN-HY (p < 0.01) values.

Conclusion

A significant association found between the changes in soft palate and the size of the airway. Middle aged patients showed higher UAD, while the older age group showed higher MN-HY.