The Effect of Orthopedic Face Mask Use on Head Posture and Pharyngeal Airway

Evaluation of the Effect of Face Mask Treatment on Head Posture, Pharyngeal Airway, Skeletal and Dental Structures in Patients With Maxillary Retrognathia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in head posture, position of the hyoid bone, pharyngeal airway and cervical posture after the use of Petit type face mask in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion (ANB angle < 0) with ongoing growth.

No other study was found in the literature in which head posture, cervical posture, and hyoid bone position were evaluated after the use of a face mask and compared with a control group consisting of patients of the same age group and the same malocclusion.

All radiographic assessments, including cephalometric, pharyngeal airway and craniocervical measurements were performed by the same researcher and she was blind to all the treatment details, orthodontic records, and information of the subjects to prevent bias. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken digitally with an X-ray unit (OP300; Instrumentarium Dental, Tuusula, Finland) according to the manufacturer and same technician. Subjects were positioned at the natural head position, teeth in centric occlusion, and lightly closed lips for lateral cephalometric radiographs. Skeletal development of individuals was evaluated using cervical vertebra maturation method (Ref: Bacetti T., An Improved Version of the Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM) Method for the Assessment of Mandibular Growth. Angle Orthod.). The skeletal development of individuals was evaluated using the cervical vertebra maturation method and it was determined that all patients were in the prepubertal stage (CS1-CS3). (Ref: Cevidanes L., Comparison of two protocols for maxillary protraction: bone anchors versus face mask with rapid maxillary expansion. Angle Orthod.)

Inclusion Criteria:

• For the study group it is as follows:

  1. Patients with skeletal Class III association (ANB < 0°)
  2. Maxillary insufficiency patients
  3. Patients with ongoing growth development
  4. Patients who have used a 'Petit type face mask' for anterior positioning of the maxilla

• For the control group it is as follows:

  1. Patients with skeletal Class III association (ANB < 0°)
  2. Maxillary insufficiency patients
  3. Patients with ongoing growth development
  4. Patients who have not had any orthodontic treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with a congenital anomaly or a craniofacial deformity
2. Patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment
3. Patients with tooth extraction or tooth loss
4. Patients with a history of trauma
5. Patients who have completed growth development (patients with Ru on wrist film)