Bone mineral density and mandibular residual ridge resorption

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Geriatric Dentistry
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for skeletal health, particularly in postmenopausal women.
• Mandibular residual ridge dimensions are important for denture stability and function.
• Understanding the link between systemic BMD and mandibular bone structure is clinically relevant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and the dimensions (height and width) of the mandibular residual ridge.
• To determine if reduced systemic BMD correlates with changes in mandibular bone morphology in edentulous postmenopausal women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 45 edentulous, postmenopausal women (mean age 72 years).
• Bone mineral density (BMD) assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and femoral necks.
• Mandibular residual ridge dimensions measured using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at the midline and mental foramina regions.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant relationship was found between systemic BMD and mandibular bone height.
• No statistically significant relationship was observed between systemic BMD and mandibular bone width.
• These findings suggest no direct correlation between general bone density and mandibular ridge size in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Reduced general bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women does not appear to be associated with a smaller mandibular residual ridge.
• The size of the mandibular residual ridge may be independent of systemic BMD levels in edentulous postmenopausal women.
• Further research could explore other factors influencing mandibular ridge resorption.