Mineral density in the mandibles of partially and totally edentate postmenopausal women

Mineral density of the cortical bone in four regions and the spongiosa distal from the mental foramen of the mandible was determined by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for 77 postmenopausal, 48-56-yr-old women. Of these women, 42 were totally edentulous and 35 had teeth in region d35-d45. The bone mineral densities of different regions of these two groups were compared. Mineral density of the cortical bone on lingual and buccal sides, distal from the mental foramen, was significantly higher among those who had been edentate 12-23 yr than among dentate subjects. No differences were found between those who had been edentate less than 12 or over 23 yr and the dentate group. This study indicates that muscular activity during different phases of edentulousness regulates the density of bone in regions where muscles are attached.