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Skeletal osteopenia and residual ridge resorption
L F Ortman1, E Hausmann, R G Dunford
1Removable Prosthodontics Department, State University of New York, School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|March 1, 1989
Summary
This study found that while women have more severe residual ridge resorption, it is not linked to menopause. Age and sex are key factors in mandibular resorption.
Area of Science:
- Dental Anthropology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Geriatric Dentistry
Background:
- Postmenopausal skeletal osteopenia is often assumed to increase residual ridge resorption.
- Understanding factors influencing residual ridge resorption is crucial for dental implantology and prosthodontics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between residual ridge resorption, patient sex, and age.
- To challenge the long-standing clinical assumption linking postmenopausal osteopenia to increased resorption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized panoramic radiographs from 459 edentulous patients.
- Employed the Wical and Swoope technique for measuring mandibular resorption.
- Implemented a blind measurement technique with validated reader uniformity.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher percentage of women exhibited class 3 (severe) residual ridge resorption (p < 0.01).
- No significant correlation was found between severe residual ridge resorption and the occurrence of menopause.
- Reader variability in measurements was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.10).
Conclusions:
- Sex is a significant factor in the degree of residual ridge resorption.
- The assumption that menopause directly causes increased residual ridge resorption is not supported by this data.
- Further research may explore other contributing factors to sex-based differences in resorption.