Oral osteoporosis: is there an association between periodontitis and osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis and periodontitis represent two highly prevalent diseases associated with advancing age. There is evidence that a patient with systemic osteoporosis is likely to have decreased oral bone density, which may affect treatment decisions. Further, a patient with decreased bone mineral density, indicative of osteoporosis, may be at a higher risk for periodontitis progression. Therefore, osteoporosis could be considered a risk factor for periodontitis. Ultimately, many of the medical, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions that are beneficial in the management of osteoporosis have the potential to be applied to oral health care and the management of oral bone loss.