Relation between osteoporosis and radiographic and clinical signs of osteoarthritis/arthrosis in the temporomandibular joint: a population-based, cross-sectional study in an older Swedish population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to elucidate the relation between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis/arthrosis (OA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

BACKGROUND

General epidemiological data support the hypothesis that osteoporosis and OA are inversely correlated but is not conclusively investigated in the TMJ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A group of 114 representative elderly women and men, randomised from a comprehensive population study in Gothenburg, Sweden, had bone mineral density established with whole-body, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as part of a health survey. In addition, dental examinations were performed, including panoramic radiographs exposed as an overview of the TMJ's and jaws. In 88 of the 80-year-old participants (48 women and 40 men), a clinical orofacial examination according to the RDC/TMD system was performed.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis was found in 36% of the 114, with a statistically different greater proportion of women. Condylar alterations evaluated from panoramic radiographs were observed in 34%, with no significant gender difference. No significant differences were found in the proportion of individuals with osteopenia/osteoporosis and any condylar radiographic alteration or not. Forty-one of the clinically examined subjects, 47%, fulfilled the criteria for an RDC/TMD diagnosis with no gender difference. All participants graded the orofacial pain as low chronic pain. An opening capacity of <40 mm denoted a higher risk of having pain in the temporomandibular system. No association was found between clinical diagnosis of RDC/TMD and osteopenia/osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis appears not to be of importance for radiological or clinical findings of OA in the TMJ.