Mineral status of skeleton and advanced periodontal disease.

Studies of the effect of general bone loss on periodontal condition and on development of periodontal pockets suggest that there is no clear correlation between periodontal health or number of teeth and the general mineral status of the skeleton. In some reports, however, deep periodontal pockets have been correlated with good mineral status in the jawbones and skeleton. The purpose of this study of 227 healthy postmenopausal women aged 48 to 56 years was to determine whether advanced alveolar bone loss, diagnosed by panoramic radiographs, and periodontal probing depths or number of remaining teeth were correlated with the bone mineral status of the skeleton and cortical bone in the mandible. The results suggest that individuals with high mineral values in the skeleton seem to retain their teeth with deep periodontal pockets more easily than those with osteoporosis. This finding may especially motivate treatment of persons suffering from advanced periodontal disease but having good mineral status.