Abstract:
Objectives: Comparison of the prevalence, location and diameter of alveolar antral artery of four posterior maxillary teeth areas between dentate and edentulous maxilla. Materials and methods: 184 maxillary sinuses (671 posterior maxillary teeth areas) cone beam computed tomographic images were retrospectively selected. The prevalence, location (artery to alveolar crest and artery to maxillary sinus floor) and diameter of alveolar antral artery were investigated in coronal view at four posterior maxillary teeth areas. Results: Prevalence of alveolar antral artery canal at first premolar, second premolar, first molar and second molar areas was 17.7%, 33.3%, 30.2% and 39.0% respectively. Comparison of the prevalence of alveolar antral artery between dentate (59.3%) and edentulous (61.3%) was not statistically significant difference.(P=0.213, Pearson chi-square test) Mean distance of alveolar antral artery from alveolar crest was 24.62 ± 3.55 mm, 20.35 ± 4.74 mm, 15.82 ± 4.09 mm and 15.93 ± 3.57 mm at first premolar, second premolar, first molar and second molar appropriately. Comparison of distance of alveolar antral artery from alveolar crest between dentate (18.32 ± 5.06 mm) and edentulous (17.25 ± 4.94 mm) is not significant difference. (P=0.236, Independent t test) Mean distance of alveolar antral artery from maxillary sinus floor was 11.08 ± 4.49 mm, 8.01 ± 4.01 mm, 8.22 ± 4.43 mm, 7.39 ± 3.42 mm at first premolar, second premolar, first molar and second molar appropriately. Comparison of distance of alveolar antral artery from maxillary sinus floor between dentate (8.00 ± 4.05 mm) and edentulous (9.02 ± 4.32 mm) is not significant difference. (P=0.163, Independent t test) Mean diameter of alveolar antral artery canal was 1.15 ± 0.51 mm, 1.07 ± 0.36 mm, 1.27 ± 0.41 mm and 1.11 ± 0.40 mm at first premolar, second premolar, first molar and second molar respectively. Comparison of diameter of alveolar antral artery between dentate (1.14 ± 0.42 mm) and edentulous (1.15 ± 0.37 mm) is not significant difference. (P=0.969, Independent t test) Conclusion: There was no significant difference of the prevalence, location (artery to alveolar crest and artery to maxillary sinus floor) and diameter of alveolar antral artery of four posterior maxillary teeth areas between dentate and edentulous maxilla.
