Evaluation of the presence of nasal septum deviations in individuals with different skeletal malocclusions

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of deviated septum in individuals with different skeletal malocclusions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was performed on cone beam computed tomography images of a total of 159 individuals, 53 in each Class I, Class II, and Class III skeletal malocclusion. Nasal septum deviation was analysed in three groups as mild (type 1; <9°), moderate (type 2; 9-15°), and severe (type3; >15°). In addition, the presence of concha bullosa in different skeletal malocclusions was evaluated. The data were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The relationship betweenskeletal malocclusions and types of deviation was determined using Cramèr’s V analysis. RESULTS: There are statistically significant differences between type 2 and type 3 in individuals with Class I skeletal malocclusion and between type 1 and type 3 in individuals with Class II skeletal malocclusion (p=0.046; p<0.01 respectively). In individuals with Class III skeletal malocclusion, no difference was observed between deviation types. In addition, a weak correlation was found between skeletal malocclusion and deviation types (Cramèr’s V = 0.213). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of concha bullosa and deviation side (p=0.215). CONCLUSION: Although a significant difference was observed in terms of deviation type in individuals with Class I and II skeletal malocclusion, a weak correlation was observed between the increase in deviation severity and skeletal malocclusions.