Correlation of tooth mobility with systemic bone mineral density and periodontal status in Indian women

Imbalanced bone remodelling associated with osteopaenic or osteoporotic conditions can lead to a net bone loss throughout the skeleton, including the oral cavity, possibly leading to tooth mobility. This study investigated possible associations between systemic bone mineral density and both tooth mobility and periodontal status in peri-menopausal women. Subjects comprised 119 dentate, peri-menopausal Indian women between 40 and 54 years old. Clinical parameters recorded were systemic bone mineral density (BMD), tooth mobility in terms of Periotest value (PTV score), clinical attachment loss (CAL), pocket depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and sulcular bleeding index (SBI). Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations between PTV score and T-score. PTV score correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with T-score, PD and CAL. The partial correlation coefficient between PTV score and T-score after adjusting for confounders was -0.3676 (P < 0.05). Results of one-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference between mean PTV scores for osteoporotic, osteopaenic and normal patients. In this population of peri-menopausal women, systemic bone mineral density represented an independent factor associated with tooth mobility.