A CBCT Morphometric Study of Hyoid Bone According to Skeletal and Breathing Patterns Using Multi-Factor Robust ANOVA
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: The hyoid bone plays a central role in functions such as swallowing, speech, and airway maintenance, and its morphology may vary with an-atomical and functional parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of skeletal class, respiratory mode, age, and sex on the morphometric features of the hy-oid bone using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A total of 560 CBCT scans (295 females, 265 males; aged 8–73 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Hyoid angle, horizontal length, and vertical height were measured using Dolphin 3D software. Participants were categorized by skeletal class (I, II, III), breathing pattern (nasal vs. oral), and age group. Data were analyzed using robust three-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: In females, nasal breathers exhibited signifi-cantly larger hyoid angles and vertical heights than oral breathers (p < 0.001), inde-pendent of age and skeletal class. In males, both age and breathing mode significantly influenced hyoid angle and vertical length (p < 0.001). Vertical height was also signifi-cantly greater in skeletal Class I compared to Class III (p = 0.008). Notably, significant respiration–skeletal class interaction was found in females (p = 0.029) but not in males. Conclusions: Hyoid bone morphology is affected by age, breathing pattern, and skele-tal class, with sex-specific differences. Nasal breathing and younger age were associ-ated with more inferior and angularly favorable hyoid positions, which may have im-plications for airway stability and craniofacial development.
Source: Healthcare
Institution: Necmettin Erbakan University
Language: English
Subfield: Orthodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funder: Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
OpenAlex ID: W4414517159