Relationship between mandibular cortical bone height and bone mineral density of lumbar spine.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between lumbar spine bone mineral density and mandible cortical bone height at the mental foramen and at the angle of the jaw. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 130 women living in Lithuania, were examined. None of the participants were known to have endocrine, metabolic or skeletal disorders. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the spine lumbar area L2-L4. The mandibles were examined on panoramic x-ray images. On each radiograph cortical thickness of mandible was measured at the mental foramen and at the angle of the jaw. The results demonstrated a tendency of high probability of osteoporosis in cases were radiomorphometric parameters are low. There was a significant difference between bone mineral density of lumbar spine and cortical bone height of mandible below the foramen mentale and at the angle of the jaw (p<0.01).