Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aim: It has been suggested that osteoporosis may be a predisposing factor for periodontitis and tissue destruction, thus periodontitis and mandibular bone density might be related. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical signs of periodontal tissue destruction in postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 postmenopausal women (51 to 78 years of age) underwent radiographic examination of the right mandibular premolar. Mandibular bone density (MBD) was measured using optical densitometry. Periodontal status variables examined included: probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PLI). Data were analyzed by statistical tests using P<0.05 as the limit of significance.

Results: This study found no statistically significant association between the four indicators of periodontal disease and mandibular bone density, but there was statistically significant association between mandibular bone density and the number of remaining teeth. There was also statistically significant association between PPD and the number of remaining teeth.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that individuals with high MBD seem to retain teeth with deep periodontal pockets more easily than those with lower MBD.