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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density in the growing human mandible.
P D'Amelio1, G L Panattoni, M Di Stefano
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turin, Italy.
Journal of Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology
|May 17, 2001
Summary
Bone mineral density (BMD) in the growing human mandible correlates strongly with age during deciduous dentition but less so during mixed dentition. This study found no sex-based differences in mandibular BMD.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Orthodontics
- Radiology
Background:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for mandibular development and function.
- Understanding BMD changes during childhood is important for assessing growth and potential pathologies.
- Mechanical stresses from dentition influence bone structure, but this relationship in the developing mandible is not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) in the growing human mandible.
- To compare BMD with the stage of dentition and infer mechanical stress variations.
- To analyze BMD differences between sexes in pediatric mandibles.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to scan 58 dried human mandibles from 15 months to 14 years.
- Scans focused on the infero-median region of the mandibular body, divided into three sections.
- The sample was grouped based on the eruption of the first permanent molar to represent deciduous and mixed dentition stages.
Main Results:
- A strong positive correlation was observed between BMD and age in the deciduous dentition group.
- BMD showed a significantly weaker correlation with age in the mixed dentition group.
- No statistically significant differences in mandibular BMD were found between male and female samples.
Conclusions:
- Mandibular bone mineral density accrual is closely age-dependent during the deciduous dentition phase.
- The transition to mixed dentition alters the relationship between age and mandibular BMD, possibly due to changing mechanical forces.
- Sex does not appear to be a significant factor influencing mandibular BMD in the studied pediatric age range.
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