title: [Evaluating the bony canal structure of the posterior superior alveolar artery using cone-beam computed tomography].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to examine the prevalence and diameter of the bony canal structure of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), residual alveolar bone height, and distance of its inferior border from the alveolar crest using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  CBCT images of maxilla in 116 patients were randomly selected from patients who underwent maxillary sinus augmentation procedure and/or posterior teeth implant therapy from April 2011 to September 2012. The lower border of the bony canal to the alveolar crest, diameter of the bony canal, and residual alveolar bone height below the sinus floor to the ridge crest were measured from CBCT scans. Data were presented using descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of the bony canal was 75.14% (133/177). The mean diameter of the bony canal was (0.96 ± 0.29) mm. The residual alveolar bone height was (7.14 ± 3.64) mm. The distance of the bony canal's inferior border from the alveolar crest was (17.92 ± 5.68) mm. No statistically significant differences between the right and left sides were observed (F = 0.295, P > 0.05). The mean diameter of the bony canal was significantly smaller in females than that in males (F = 0.187, P < 0.05). The maxillary alveolar dimension was significantly correlated with the residual alveolar bone height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from this study suggest that CBCT is a valuable tool in evaluating the presence of the bony canal of the PSAAs efore maxillary sinus surgery.
authors: Duan
authors: D
authors: Zhitian
authors: Ye
authors: Y
authors: Ping
authors: Wu
authors: W
authors: Runfa
authors: Bai
authors: B
authors: Peng
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Rui
authors: Huang
authors: H
authors: Min
authors: Xie
authors: X
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process; D001158:Arteries; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla; D008443:Maxillary Sinus; D059546:Sinus Floor Augmentation