PHARYNGEAL AIRWAY VOLUME FOLLOWING ...

(posterior tongue) area. In the A-P, or sagittal,
dimension, there was a significant increase in airway size
at all levels except the retroglossal area. 44
Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Lateral cephalometry has traditionally been used in
orthodontics and oral surgery to examine the craniofacial
skeleton, dentition, growth effects, and airway.
Cephalometry is widely available, low in patient radiation,
and inexpensive compared to computed tomography (CT) and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 1 The main limitation of
this imaging modality is the inability to measure airway
volume or examine lateral soft tissue structures. 1
In recent years, a new technology, cone beam computed
tomography (CBCT) has been developed and is gaining
popularity in the realm of orthodontics and oral surgery.
When compared to traditional CT, CBCT scans are faster,
less expensive, more readily available, and expose the
patient to less radiation. 45 Utilizing a cone-shaped x-ray
beam, a 3-dimension image is acquired with one 360 degree
scan of a patient. 46 The x-ray beams are oriented in a
parallel fashion with the patient close to the sensor,
therefore producing an image that has a magnification ratio
of 1:1. 46 CBCT allows a more accurate evaluation of
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