engleski

Digital orthopantomograms in osteoporosis detection : mandibular density and mandibular radiographic indices as skeletal BMD predictors

Objective was to determine the correlation of skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) with mandibular density and mandibular radiographic indices estimated on digital panoramic radiographs. Study comprised 112 female subjects older than 45 years. Digital panoramic radiographs were taken and patients were referred to densitometric measuring (DEXA) of BMD in the hip bones and lumbar spine regions (L1- L4). On the radiographs, mandibular bone density was estimated and the following indices were measured by Digora software: mental (MI), gonial (GI), antegonial (AI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI) and alveolar crest resorption degree (M/M). Mandibular cortical index (MCI) was visually estimated. Mandibular density and visual index MCI are significant predictors of hip and spine BMD. Mandibular density was marked by a significant square trend: it decreased until the age of 54 and remained constant until the age of 64 when it started to increase. Significant correlations were found between MI, AI, and PMI values and BMD in the hip but not in the lumbar spine region. The GI and M/M values did not show statistically significant correlations with BMD of either region. Mandibular bone density and mandibular radiographic indices are useful in detecting patients with decreased BMD. Application of orthopantomograms in osteoporosis/osteopenia recognition can be the greatest benefit of that everyday diagnostic method in dental practice.

panoramic radiography; mandible; bone density; osteoporosis; radiographic indices

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