A pilot study of mineralization distribution in the cortical bone of the human mandible

Twenty-three specimens from immediately anteroinferior to the mental foramen were obtained from male and female, dentate and edentate, human mandibles. Planoparallel 80 microm thick sections were prepared from the mandibular specimens and computerized quantitative microradiography undertaken, which allowed the production of mineralization frequency distribution curves and mean mineralization. No differences in mean mineralization with age, sex, presence or absence of dentition were found, but mineralization distribution curves indicated differences between males and females. Within the age range and small sample size examined (40-90 years) there were no age-related differences. There was a lower level of mineralization distribution in the edentulous than the dentate mandible.