Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, diameter, and location of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) and its relationship with the oblique distance to the apex of the alveolar crest using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed Cone-Beam Computed Tomography data that was taken from 300 patients for various reasons. The prevalence, localization (inner, middle, outer), arterial diameters, and oblique distances to the alveolar crest apex of the PSAA were determined from cross-sectional images. All the data were evaluated using statistical analysis.

Results: The PSAA was seen in 63% of all maxillary sinuses with the artery most frequently detected as intraosseous (65%) in both genders. The location of the PSAA close to the outer cortex of the lateral sinus wall was the least common. There was no statistically significant difference in the PSAA position between men and women (p=0.516). The mean PSAA diameter was 1.42±0.50 mm, with values of 1.42±0.50 mm and 1.33±0.50 mm for the right and left sinuses, respectively. Cases of a diameter greater than 2 mm were rare. The distance of the artery to the lower border of the alveolar crest was 18.20±4.80 mm. These values of 18.10±4.80 mm and 18.20±4.80 mm for the right and left sinuses. In right-left comparisons, no significant difference was found in terms of arterial diameter (p=0.811) and distance measurements to the alveolar crest (p=0.840).

Conclusion: PSAA is common in CBCT sections. Therefore, preoperative evaluation of intraosseous anastomoses and maxillary sinus morphology with CBCT is of great importance in order to prevent complications during surgical interventions in the maxillary sinus region.