Effects of experimental osteoporosis on alveolar bone loss in rats

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and alveolar bone loss. Alveolar bone loss was evaluated by radiographic and visual inspection of rats with experimental osteoporosis. Twenty 4-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: Group A-ovariectomized and given a standard solid diet; Group B-ovariectomized and given a calcium-deficient diet; Group C-sham-ovariectomized and given a standard solid diet; and Group D-sham-ovariectomized and given a calcium-deficient diet. After 4 weeks, the rat were euthanatized. The maxillae, mandibles, femurs, and tibias were removed carefully and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The bone mineral density of each bone and the alveolar bone loss were measured. The bone mineral densities of the maxillae, mandibles, femurs and tibias in Group C were significantly higher than those in Groups B and D, but not higher than those in Group A. However, there were no significant differences between any of the groups with regard to alveolar bone loss from the cemento-enamel junction to the molar bone crest. Therefore, it was concluded that osteoporosis itself may not be capable of causing periodontal destruction, and thus may not be a major factor in periodontal disease.