Radiomorphometric indices and their relation to alveolar bone loss in completely edentulous Turkish patients: a retrospective study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In edentulous patients, alveolar bone loss is a critical factor that affects denture retention, stability, and masticatory function. In addition to their use for the assessment of bone quality, panoramic radiomorphometric indices have been used to observe signs of bone resorption. Currently, there is no published data on the possible relationships between bone loss, radiomorphometric indices, and edentulism.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of age and gender on the mandibular cortical index, panoramic mandibular index, and mandibular cortical width, as well as alveolar bone loss and bone height, using panoramic radiographs of patients having been edentulous for more than 2 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 94 edentulous patients (41.5% men and 58.5% women) were assessed. In addition to gender and age, the mandibular cortical index (normal cortex, mild or severe erosions on endosteal margin of the mandible), panoramic mandibular index, mandibular cortical width at the mental foramen region, alveolar bone loss, and bone heights of the premolar and molar regions of the mandible were recorded. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and 2-way ANOVA tests (alpha=.05).

RESULTS

Mild erosions on the endosteal margin of the mandible were more frequently seen in age groups of <or=60, and severe erosions on the endosteal margin of the mandible were more frequently observed in age groups of >60 in women (P<.001). While the mean values of the mandibular cortical width were stable as age increased in men, the mean mandibular cortical width values decreased significantly with age in women (P<.01). The panoramic mandibular index, alveolar bone loss, and bone heights were not affected by age or gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe erosions on the endosteal margin of the mandible are seen more frequently in women over 60 years in age. While mean mandibular cortical width values are stable in men over 60 years, mean mandibular cortical width values decrease significantly in women of the same age group.