Effects of maxillary protraction on craniofacial structures and upper-airway dimension.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of treatment with a maxillary protraction appliance on the development of the craniofacial structures and upper-airway dimensions. A total of 25 patients (mean age: 9.8 years) with Class III malocclusions were evaluated by the use of lateral cephalograms. A significant increase in maxillary forward growth, inhibition of mandibular forward growth, and clockwise rotation of the mandible were observed. The maxillary incisors were significantly proclined and the mandibular incisors significantly retroclined. A multiple-regression analysis revealed that maxillary growth had a significant positive effect on the superior upper-airway dimension. These findings indicate that the superior upper-airway dimension can be altered during maxillary protraction.