The Radiological Evaluation of the Anatomy of the Alveolar Antral Artery and the Lateral Wall Thickness Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study

Objectives: Study aims to assess the position and route of the alveolar antral artery and the lateral wall thickness of the maxillary sinus using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), reducing the risk of complications and improving the success rate of surgery. Materials and Methods: This study included CBCT scans from 238 patients. The detection diameter of AAA and distance of the lower border of AAA to the maxillary sinus floor at the first premolar, second premolar, first molar, and second molar locations were evaluated. The route of AAA was observed with novel classification. Furthermore, the distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the alveolar crest at four posterior tooth locations was measured respectively. Moreover, the lateral wall thickness at four locations was assessed. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: AAA was observed in 62.18% of all sinuses. The mean diameter was 0.990.21 mm, with significant differences within gender. Half of the route of AAA was intrasinus intraosseous type. The mean distance between the maxillary sinus floor and AAA was 8.00 +/- 2.68 mm, with a significant difference between dentate and edentulous status at the first molar location. Distance from the sinus floor to the alveolar ridge crest in edentulous status negatively correlated with the distance from the sinus floor to AAA at the first molar location. The mean thickness of the lateral wall was 2.03 +/- 0.91 mm, and the difference in thickness between males and females at the four locations was statistically significant. Conclusion: Intrasinus-intraosseous type, is the most common route. Special care should be taken at the first molar location during a lateral window sinus floor elevation. CBCT is highly recommended to before lateral wall maxillary sinus floor elevation.