Relationships between mandibular cortical indexes, bone mineral density, and osteoporotic fractures in Brazilian men over 60 years old

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess relationships between panoramic indexes, bone mineral density (BMD), and osteoporotic fractures in men >60 years old. Study design. Body height and weight, body mass index, lumbar spine and hip BMD, and the presence of osteoporotic fractures were determined in the 127 studied men. Dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) were used for measuring mandibular cortical indexes. Results. BMDs were lower in patients with thinning and resorption of mandibular cortex. No association was found between mandibular indexes and the presence of osteoporotic fractures. In a forward stepwise logistic regression model, the odds of having a T score <=-2.5 was increased by 1.97 times for every 1-mm reduction in average mandibular cortical width. Conclusions. DPRs could show pronounced thinning of the inferior mandibular cortices in men >60 years old. However, there was no apparent association between vertebral fragility fractures and the appearance of mandibular cortex in elderly men. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011; 112: 648-656)