The relationship between panoramic radiomorphometric indices of the mandible and calcaneus bone mineral density.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between bone mineral density in the calcaneus measured using the dual x-ray and laser osteodensitometry technique and bone mineral density in the mandible calculated using the panoramic radiomorphometric indices obtained by applying linear measurements in panoramic radiograms of postmenopausal women.

Material And Methods: The participants of this study were postmenopausal women (n=129) aged 50 and more. The subjects underwent panoramic radiography of the mandibles, followed by the calculation of the panoramic radiomorphometric indices indicating bone mineral density of the mandible. The dual x-ray and laser osteodensitometer DXL Calscan were used for the measurements of bone mineral density in the calcaneus. Statistical analysis was preformed to find the relationship between bone mineral density measurements in the two anatomically different bones.

Results: Following the diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis recommended by the World Health Organization (1994), the subjects were distributed according to the calcaneus bone mineral density T-score into the normal bone mineral density (group 1), osteopenia (group 2), and osteoporosis (group 3) groups. Mean bone mineral density in the calcaneus in the general studied population was 0.38+/-0.07; the mean value of bone mineral density of the calcaneus in the group 1 (n=34) was 0.47+/-0.04 (g/cm(2)), in the group 2 (n=65) was 0.37+/-0.03 (g/cm(2)), and in the group 2 (n=30) was 0.29+/-0.03 (g/cm(2)). Differences in bone mineral density between the groups were determined using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) F=285.31; df=2; P<0.001 (T1 vs. T2, P<0.001; T1 vs. T3, P<0.001; T2 vs. T3; P<0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found in the general group between the mental index and bone mineral density in the calcaneus (r=0.356, P<0.001), and between the panoramic mandibular index and bone mineral density in the calcaneus (r=0.397, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Bone mineral density in the calcaneus and the mandible measured using dual energy x-ray and laser osteodensitometer DXL Calscan and by applying panoramic radiography reflect general changes in the mineralization of these bones, characteristic of the postmenopausal period.