Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of maxillary protrusion on upper airway obstruction in three children by fluid-mechanical simulation. 3D images of the upper airway were constructed using a cone-beam CT scanner, and upper airway fluid-mechanical simulation (UAFS) was applied to each image at the resting peak tidal flow rate. UAFS was able to confirm that maxillary protrusion caused upper airway obstruction. Furthermore, it was recognized that the location of the obstruction could be identified as a characteristic of UAFS. This study suggests that UAFS is useful for diagnosis of upper airway obstruction.
