Alveolar bone resorption: a histologic study comparing bone turnover in the edentulous mandible and iliac crest

The extent of bone formation and resorption in alveolar and basal mandibular bone was measured in 17 edentulous individuals. For comparison, samples of iliac crest bone were also collected because this bone is often used for standard site assessment of skeletal measures of bone turnover. The specimens were processed for undecalcified resin histology. The results indicated extensive bone resorption at the periosteal surface of the alveolar crest, with little evidence of subsequent osteoid formation. Endosteal osteoid formation did occur, which tended to maintain the thickness of the cortical bone at the alveolar crest. Mandibular basal bone displayed a remodeling pattern similar to that seen in the iliac crest.