Difference in Bone Density in Young Women With Normal Occlusion and Malocclusion

Introduction Acquisition of higher peak bone mass in young women may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Many factors, including nutritional intake, influence peak bone mass. The masticatory ability associated with nutritional intake may be lower in young women with malocclusion than in those with normal occlusion. We investigated the difference in bone mineral density (BMD) and nutritional intake between younger women with normal occlusion and malocclusion. Methods This study involved 45 women (mean age, 20.8 years) with normal occlusion and 49 women (mean age, 21.3 years) with malocclusion. Calcaneal BMD was measured by quantitative ultrasound. All participants completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Differences in BMD, body mass index (BMI), and FFQ-obtained nutrient values between the two groups were analyzed with an independent t-test. Multiple regression analysis was also conducted to assess the association between BMD and nutrient values in both participants with normal occlusion and malocclusion. Results Participants with malocclusion tended to have lower BMD than those with normal occlusion (p = 0.10). The former had significantly higher vitamin A intake and lower sunlight exposure time than the latter. In the malocclusion group, participants with normal BMI had significantly higher BMD than those with both higher and lower BMI (p = 0.009 and p = 0.004, respectively). High vitamin B12 intake was also associated with higher BMD in this group (p = 0.031). Conclusions Malocclusion in young women influenced calcaneal BMD through nutritional intake, sunlight exposure, and BMI. Orthodontic treatment in young women with malocclusion may contribute to obtaining higher peak bone mass.