Two-year changes in mandibular bone mass in an osteoporotic population.

Deficiency of 1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol (the active form of vitamin D) may be a major factor contributing to osteoporosis. This study measured mandibular bone mass over 2 years in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and evaluated whether 1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol increased mandibular bone mass. All subjects increased dietary calcium to 1000 mg per day and took a multivitamin supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D daily. There was a large variation in the amount of change in mandibular bone mass, but no significant difference attributed to the administration of 1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol. With those dietary and vitamin supplements, 83% of the subjects were able to maintain or increase their mandibular bone mass.