Mandibular cortical indices on cone-beam computed tomography images in osteoporotic women on treatment with oral bisphosphonates.

Objective: To evaluate the mandibular cortical indices in osteoporotic women receiving oral bisphosphonates (oBPs).

Material And Methods: The study group included 46 Caucasian women aged over 55 years on treatment with oBPs for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Information recorded included age, weight, height, type of oBP, duration of treatment, comorbid conditions and coadjuvant medication. Forty-six age-matched Caucasian women with no known diagnosis of osteoporosis were selected as the control group. All participants underwent cone-beam computed tomography, and the mandibular cortical width (MCW) and the height from the inferior mandibular border to the mental foramen (MBMF) were measured.

Results: The MBMF was similar in the participants with osteoporosis and in controls. MCW was significantly greater in the participants with osteoporosis than in the controls (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Mandibular cortical width should not be used to predict the risk of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws.