title: Evaluation of the Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillary posterior tooth region is an important area with respect to periapical surgery, implant placement, and sinus lifts. Posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) is located on the lateral wall of maxillary sinus and may become injured during such surgical procedures. Therefore, knowledge of the subject is essential to a clinician. The goal was to determine the anatomical relationship of posterior superior alveolar artery to the floor of maxillary sinus and alveolar crest. In our study we attempted to present the locations and course of posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  CBCT scans of 50 patients (30 males, 20 females) who had undergone computed tomography imaging were analyzed. We assessed the visibility and location of vascular canal/notch of posterior superior alveolar artery on cross sectional images and measured the distances from lower margin to the floor of maxillary sinus and alveolar crest in the 1stmolar and 2ndmolar regions. Unpaired t-test was carried out in the analysis to determine the level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maxillary PSAA was visualized in 36 patients (70%). Mean diameter of the vessel was 0.63 mm. Mean distance between PSAA and alveolar crest was the shortest in the 2ndmolar region. The mean distance between PSAA and floor of maxillary sinus was 9.96 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periapical surgeries, implants and maxillary sinus lift are performed on routine basis. PSAA is an important structure in the posterior maxillary region; the clinician should be aware of its location and course. CBCT is an excellent tool to localize the PSAA because of it provides finer details at low exposure and less radiation. It should be recommended in clinical practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Atul A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pandharbale
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rajeev M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gadgil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ajay R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bhoosreddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Varun R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Kunte
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Bhushan S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ahire
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Vidjamandir's Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College and Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Manila R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Shinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Mathrusri Ramabai Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Sidharth S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Joshi
keywords: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Dental Implants; Maxillary Sinus