Radiological Evaluation of Mandibular Residual Ridge Resorption and Its Association With Systemic Biochemical Markers...

Background Residual ridge resorption (RRR) is a chronic, progressive, and multifactorial process that occurs following tooth loss, resulting in continuous alveolar bone loss and potentially compromising prosthodontic rehabilitation. Systemic biochemical factors involved in bone metabolism may influence the extent of mandibular ridge resorption in completely edentulous individuals. Methodology This study included 54 completely edentulous participants aged 45-80 years. Mandibular RRR was assessed using digital panoramic radiographs based on the Wical and Swoope method. Serum levels of vitamin K, vitamin D, ionized calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated using standardized laboratory techniques. Spearman correlation analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, and stepwise linear regression were performed to evaluate the association between biochemical parameters and RRR. Results RRR showed a significant negative correlation with serum vitamin K (r=-0.42, p=0.002) and serum phosphorus (r=-0.32, p=0.02), and a significant positive correlation with serum calcium (r=0.38, p=0.005). No significant associations were observed with serum vitamin D (p=0.08) or ALP (p=0.49). Stepwise linear regression analysis identified vitamin K as a significant predictor of ridge resorption in the overall study population (R²=0.142, p=0.003) and among males (R²=0.096, p=0.04), whereas serum calcium emerged as a significant predictor among females (R²=0.253, p=0.014). No significant gender-based differences were observed in ridge resorption or biochemical parameters. Conclusions Lower serum vitamin K and phosphorus levels were associated with increased mandibular RRR, while higher serum calcium levels were associated with greater bone loss. Vitamin K emerged as a significant predictor of RRR, highlighting its potential role in maintaining alveolar bone integrity. These findings suggest that systemic biochemical markers may influence to mandibular bone changes in completely edentulous individuals and could aid in identifying patients at risk for accelerated ridge resorption.