The relation between periodontitis and systemic bone mass in women between 46 and 55 years of age

It has been suggested that periodontitis and systemic bone mass might be related. In order to evaluate this possible relationship, we performed an intra-oral examination and measured lumbar bone mineral density (lumbar BMD) and metacarpal cortical thickness (MCT) in 286 female volunteers between 46 and 55 years of age. In addition, the alveolar bone height was measured on bite wing radiographs of the dentate subjects. Of the subject, n = 60 (21%) were edentulous. Compared to the dentate subjects, the lumbar BMD and MCT of the edentulous women were not significantly different. In the dentate subjects, no significant correlation was observed between the clinical parameters of periodontitis (mean probing depth, occurrence of bleeding after probing and number of missing teeth) and the bone mass parameters (lumbar BMD and MCT); nor was a significant relation observed between the bone mass measurements and alveolar bone height. We therefore suggest that systemic bone mass is not an important factor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.