Efficacy of the Panoramic Radiography for Exploring Bone Mineral Density and Oral Health

Abstract

Background: Established osteoporosis is not possible to return to normal condition, but in many cases, it can be prevented with early intervention.  With increasing age, progressive changes occur throughout the body, including osteoporotic.This disease can be diagnosed by panoramic radiography in dental clinics.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the panoramic radiographs in the assessment of BMD and the influence of gender and dental status on the various indices.

Materials and Methods: 1000 dental panoramic radiographs of patients reporting at the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology were evaluated for radio morphometric indices. PMI and MI were calculated using 17" screen, 1024 x 768 minimum screen, resolution - 32 bits colour mode, and were calculated by a maxillofacial radiologist.The relationship between these indices among different age groups and gender were analysed using the Chi-square test, independent‘t' test, and Post Hoc Bonferroni test.

Results: Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference between the results of each group analysed in both male and female patients. Chi-square test was applied and a significant difference was found between MCI and gender and age group respectively. Correlation between age and PMI was statistically significant between group 1 and group 2; group 1 and group 3; however the difference between group 2 and group 3 was not statistically significant. Correlation between age and MI was evaluated using the Post hoc Bonferroni test.  Statistically significant differences were found between group 1 and group 2; group 1 and group 3; however the difference between group 2 and group 3 was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:MI and PMI, in the present study, present a statistically significant correlation with respect to the age of the study subjects (P<0.05).  MI and PMI had a significant relationship with MCI (P<0.05).