Mineralisation density of human mandibular bone: quantitative backscattered electron image analysis

This study examined the tissue level mineralisation density distribution in mandibles from 88 adult humans. Mandibles (19-96 y) were sectioned vertically in midline (MID), mental foramen (MF), and third molar (M3) regions. Surgical fragments from M3 were obtained from individuals aged 16-38 y. All specimens were cleaned, embedded in PMMA, micromilled and examined by digital 20 kV backscattered electron (BSE) stereology. Quantitation was based on rescaling image histograms to the signal range between a monobrominated (0) and a monoiodinated (255) dimethacrylate resin standard. Mineralisation density increased with age (r=0.70; P < 0.0001): the mean for 39 individuals aged between 16 and 50 y was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) than for 35 individuals over 51 y (mean (+/-S.E.M.): 158.20 (1.63) and 174.71 (1.27) normalised grey level units respectively). There was good correlation in mean mineralisation density between different sites in the same mandible, but MID was significantly less highly mineralised than the other sites: MID 173.90, MF 177.34, M3 177.11 (P < 0.002 and 0.01 for MF and M3 respectively; paired t test), as was the alveolar bone density when compared with the bone of the inferior cortex (e.g. MID: 171.13 (1.53) and 174.46 (1.14) P < 0.0001). No sex difference was found. Partially dentate mandibles generally had regions of higher mineralisation than fully dentate and edentulous mandibles. The lowest density bone occurred at the alveolar crest anteriorly and superolingually at M3, matching sites of net resorption following tooth loss. Highest densities were found inferolingually at MID, inferiorly at MF and buccally at M3, matching the sites thought to experience the highest functional strains. This stresses the importance that local factors may have in the remodelling of the edentulous mandible. Morphology showed that there is a preponderance of highly mineralised cement lines, and of packets containing dead, mineralised, osteocytes.