The pathogenesis, oral manifestations, and implications for dentistry of metabolic bone disease.

Metabolic bone diseases often result in striking oral manifestations that can lead to a diagnosis of the underlying systemic condition. Numerous studies suggest that subclinical derangements in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism may also contribute to alveolar ridge resorption and periodontal bone loss in predisposed individuals. The significance of this spectrum of diseases and their overall impact on oral health and dental management are likely to increase as the elderly segment of the population increases in the coming decades.