Evaluation of the relationship between airline dimensions and halitosis

Objective: In this study, airway dimensions, vertical and sagittal directional analysis, respiratory factors and their relationship with each other and with halitosis were investigated in patients who were going to start orthodontic treatment at Uşak University Faculty of Dentistry and whose lateral cephalogram images were available. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalogram images of 113 individuals participating in our study were measured with Dolphin Imaging software. Halitosis scores were obtained with a portable breath analyzer (YRY Smart Breath Odour Detector) and checked by organoleptic method. Oral care, mouth breathing and the presence of halitosis were investigated with a self-report questionnaire. Results: As a result of the analyses, significant relationships were found between tooth brushing frequency, dry mouth, halitosis status and intensity and halitosis scores obtained from the self-report questionnaire (p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between sagittal directional analysis, vertical directional analysis, airway width and halitosis scores. Conclusions: In our study, we found a significant correlation between halitosis intensity and status of halitosis and the use of a portable breathalyser, which is not widely used, would be useful as an auxiliary method for organoleptic measurement. We anticipate that it may help in the diagnosis of halitosis as it is suitable for clinical use and facilitates patient follow-up, especially by providing quantitative scores. However, no significant correlations were found between the halitosis scores obtained, airway dimensions and the parameters thought to be effective on airway dimensions and halitosis. This may be due to the small sample size and narrow age range of our study. For this reason, new studies with more subgroups and sample size should be supported for the relationship between halitosis, which has a multifactorial etiology, and airway size.