How does second premolar extraction affect airway volume?

Investigators have uncovered changes in airway volume that may occur following extraction or nonextraction of the second premolars, according to a study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics.

In the study, the investigators used cone-beam computed tomography to analyze volumetric changes in the airways of 54 patients who underwent second premolar extraction and 59 controls who didn’t undergo extraction between 2015 and 2021. They compared measures of the airways both pre- and postorthodontic treatment.

The investigators identified a statistically significant increase in airway volume among the patients in both groups; however, there were no statistically significant differences in increased airway volume between the patients who were treated with extraction vs. those who did not have an extraction. Further, they discovered that changes to the area of minimum constriction as well as airway length had the greatest effects on airway volume changes.

Read more: American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

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