Abstract
Only a few studies have been performed on the relationship between tooth loss or aging and changes of artery distributions in the maxilla.
A total of 55 maxilla, obtained from Japanese cadavers, were used, and the running and distribution patterns of the arteries around and inside of the dentulous and edentulous maxilla were observed in this study.
Vertical and horizontal distances of the posterior superior alveolar artery were measured based on Frankfurt and midsagittal planes, and then the artery's running patterns were classified. The inside diameters of the posterior superior alveolar artery, the branch distributed to the maxilla from the foramina alveolar, and the bucco-gingival branch were measured. The minute vessels distributed inside the bone were also observed using vessel mold specimens.
The posterior superior alveolar artery in the edentulous maxilla ran closely to the bottom of the maxillary sinus. The inside diameter of the branch distributed to the maxillary from the foramina alveolar was smaller in the edentulous maxilla than in the dentulous maxilla. But there were no significant differences between the other two vessels. Furthermore, no age-related change was evident in these three arteries. Scanning electron microscopic observations of vessel mold specimens showed that the vessels were smaller and their distributions were more rough in the edentulous maxilla than in the dentulous maxilla.
These may imply that the differences observed between the dentulous maxilla and the edentulous maxilla are caused by the absorption of alveolar bone following the loss of teeth, morphological changes of the maxillary sinus, and decreased demand for arterial blood.
