Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2001 Jun;31(2):67-71.

Usefulness of panoramic radiography in the diagnosis of osteoporosis

• Lee BD
• Lee SR

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the possibility of using panoramic indices as an indicator of jaw osteoporosis.
METHODS
Mandibular cortical width (MCW), degree of mandibular alveolar bone resorption (ABR) and morphology of mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) on panoramic radiograph were used as panoramic indices. These panoramic indices were compared with bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar (L1-L4) and femoral neck measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also compared MCW and ABR of young men with those of postmenopausal women.
RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between ABR and BMD of lumbar and femoral neck. And also significant correlation between MIC and BMD of lumbar and femoral neck. ANOVA test of BMD of lumbar and femoral neck showed significant differences according to morphologic classification of inferior cortex. There was significant difference in MCW and ABR between young men and postmenopausal women.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggested that ABR and MIC on panoramic radiograph could be reliable in screening of osteoporosis.

Keyword

mandible; alveolar bone loss; osteoporosis; postmenopause

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Alveolar Bone Loss
Bone Density
Bone Resorption
Classification
Diagnosis*
Female
Femur Neck
Humans
Jaw
Male
Mandible
Mass Screening
Osteoporosis*
Postmenopause
Radiography, Panoramic*