Age differences in cortical width of mandibles determined by histoquantitation

A study was carried out to develop a histomorphometric method for indication of individual level of cortical width (MCW) and absolute cortical bone mass (MCW X % bone mass in mm3/mm2 bone surface) in the mandibular body and to demonstrate possible differences as to site, side, state of dentition, sex and age. The material consisted of autopsy specimens of mandibles. Microradiograms of 100-microns-thick buccolingual ground sections were used. An electronic point-counting system (Leitz-Classimat) was used for determination of MCW. The values for percentage of cortical bone mass have been given in previous studies. The analysis indicates that: 1) a reproducible measure for MCW in micron and absolute bone mass in a standard site can be obtained; 2) MCW in other sites of mandibular cortex deviates from that of standard site, which is why the same site has to be used in interindividual analysis; 3) MCW and absolute bone mass in the standard site are independent of side, state of dentition and sex, but show age-related decreases, while 4) the lingual cortex is unsuitable for interindividual analysis of MCW.