Identification of postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis using panoramic and intraoral radiographs- a review.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common human bone diseases affecting millions of people, including over one-third of females above the age of 65. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone density and weakened bones. There is evidence that osteoporosis affects the craniofacial and oral structures, although the contribution of osteoporosis in the loss of periodontal attachments, teeth, and height of the residual ridge has not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, the relationship between systemic osteoporosis and oral health is still a complex problem of great interest to a large number of researchers and clinicians. In addition, the dentist could screen patients with unrecognized osteoporosis using information already available in the dental office. The purpose of screening is to identify individuals who are likely to benefit from treatment. The fact that dental radiographs are regularly made on a large fraction of the adult population makes their potential use as a marker of skeletal health an exciting avenue of research. The purpose of this article was to review the use of various intraoral as well as panoramic radiographs to promote early identification of patients at risk for osteoporosis.