Evaluation of changes in the mandibular angular cortex using panoramic images.

The mandible like other bones of the body has a series of anatomical landmarks that can serve as radiographic indicators. Using these indicators it is possible to evaluate changes in bone with respect to its quantity or quality by different methods of taking images. Osteoporosis is a significant problem of the elderly, especially post-menopausal women. The aim of this study was to determine the thickness of the mandiublar angular cortex on the right and left sides of women as well as bone resorption in different age groups using panoramic radiography. One hundred female patients were selected from applicants for panoramic radiological services who did not have a history of systemic bone disease, hysterectomy, or taking hormonal supplements. Using a questionnaire, the selected subjects were asked questions about their education, job, marital status, number of pregnancies, age, menopausal status, and history of backaches. After statistical calculation it became clear an increase in age will increase bone resorption, and this process is related to a decrease in the sexual hormones of women. Higher bone resorption was detected in women with a higher number of pregnancies. Also, the higher educated the patient, the less bone resorption. Women with a background of backaches had more bone resorption to those who did not have this backache background. Finally, it was recognized that it would be possible to clear the quality dimension of the process of mandibular bone resorption.