Facial Pattern, Upper Lip Length and Naso and Oropharynx Widths

The respiratory function is widely influenced by the pharyngeal spaces. The adequate width of these structures favors breathing and, therefore, the morphofunctional development of the bony and integumental structures of the nasomaxillary complex. OBJECTIVES: evaluate if there is a relation between the three types of facial patterns, classified according to Jarabakxs index, and the measurements: upper lip length e naso and oropharynx widths. METHODS: the sample consisted of 391 lateral teleradiographs, 73 classified as brachycephalics, 174 as mesocephalics and 144 as dolicocephalics. All measurements were linear. The Dentofacial Planner Plus v. 2.01 software was used to obtain the upper lip length. Naso and oropharynx widths were measured with Fowler Digital Caliper. All data were submitted to statistical tests of normality and homogeneity, and assessed by ANOVA test. RESULTS: statistical significant difference between the upper lip length and nasopharynx width among the three different facial patterns. As for the oropharynx width no statistical significant difference was detected in relation to facial patterns. CONCLUSIONS: the upper lip length and nasopharynx width show a tendency to increase according to the facial pattern, in the following way: lower values in the dolicocephalic patients, intermediate in the mesocephalics and higher in the brachycephalics.