Exploring the anatomical variations of the Alveolar Antral Artery by CBCT in a sample of Yemeni people.

Objective: this study aims to determine the prevalence of the Alveolar Antral Artery (AAA) in a Yemeni adult population using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), assessing its presence in relation to gender, age, side, and dental status across different posterior maxillary teeth. Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using 206 CBCT scans (412 maxillary sinus) from three radiographic centers in Sana'a, Yemen. CBCT images were obtained using EZ3D-I software (EWOOSOFT Co., Ltd, Vatech, Korea) and analyzed in coronal planes with 0.5 mm slice thickness. The presence of AAA was evaluated bilaterally in the first and second premolars and first and second molars. Data were collected using standardized data collection sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied, with a significance level set at p < 0.05 Results: The AAA was present in 89.7% of the 1,648 maxillary sinus slices assessed and in 89.7% of the 206 patients. There was no significant difference in AAA prevalence based on gender, side, or age. The artery was consistently observed across all evaluated tooth sites, with minor variations. Conclusion: The Alveolar Antral Artery is highly prevalent in the Yemeni population. Its presence and variable location underscore the importance of careful radiographic assessment using CBCT during pre-surgical planning in the posterior maxilla to avoid intraoperative complications.