372 - Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Evaluation of Intermolar and Intercanine Widths in 4-6 year old Children and their Association with Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) Scores

Purpose: To evaluate elevated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) Scores with primary intermolar and intercanine widths on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of 4–6 year-old children at Beyond Pediatric Dentistry (Dallas, TX). To investigate whether an association exists between an increased risk of airway-related disturbances with decreased dental arch widths.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the relationship between PSQ scores and transverse maxillary dimensions. PSQ scores were completed and stratified patients into groups based on PSQ scores. A limited airway assessment was conducted by a single calibrated practitioner at Beyond Pediatric Dentistry. Patients underwent CBCT imaging as part of their diagnostic assessment where minimum airway space and intermolar width measurements were obtained by a single, board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist for consistent measurements and interpretation, while intercanine width measurements were obtained by a single calibrated practitioner to eliminate variability in methods.

Results: The total patient number that met the selection criteria was 124 patients. The average of intermolar width in males was 27.78 mm and in females was 26.82 mm. The average intercanine width in males was 26.64 mm and in females was 27.75 mm. There was no correlation between an increased PSQ and intermolar or intercanine width in males or females.

Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between PSQ scores > 8 with and gender, nor intermolar width and gender. A positive correlation was statistically relevant between intermolar and intercanine widths.