Assessment of Mandibular Alveolar Bone Density in Osteoporotic Adults in Syria

Objectives: Many studies indicated that reduction of skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) may lead to loss of the mandibular alveolar bone mass (MABM). Since osteoporosis is characterized with low bone mineral density, it may affect both maxilla and mandible. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between mandibular alveolar bone density (MABD) and bone mineral density (BMD), and to assess the use of intra-oral periapical radiographs in osteoporosis detection. Methods: Participants were patients attending periodontal clinic, Dentistry School, Damascus University then referred to the bone density unit at Al-Mowassat teaching hospital in Damascus to receive DEXA. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was done on Lumbar spine vertebrae (L2-L4) and femoral neck for each participant. They were classified into three groups: osteoporotic, osteopenic and normal (control) subjects. A periapical radiograph was taken for each participant using a standardized paralleling technique with an aluminum step wedge. MABD was measured using computerized software (Digora) to calculate MABD. Results: the number of the participants was 169 individuals (age= 42± 5.3 years), they were assigned as follows (Osteopenic 57, Osteoporotic 52, control 60). A significant positive correlation between MABD and BMD was found in osteoporotic group (R = 0.527 & p < 0.01). Also there were significant differences of MABD between osteoporotic group versus both osteopenic and normal groups. Conclusions: Mandible can be affected by osteoporosis. Intra-oral periapical radiographs using aluminum step wedge is considered one of the important and useful techniques for the detection of osteoporosis