A Radiographic comparison of mandibular bone quality in pre- and post-menopausal women in Indian population

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the study is to assess mandibular bone changes in pre and postmenopausal women with chronic generalized periodontitis using different radiomorphometric indices, mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 60 patients visiting the Department of Periodontology were taken and divided in two groups - pre and post-menopausal. Detailed medical and menopausal history was recorded for each patient. All the radiographs were assessed for PMI, MI and MCI and presence of periodontitis. The destructive periodontitis was assessed as distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest greater than 2mm. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student-t test was applied to compare mean values of MI and PMI. Intra and inter group comparison of MCI were made using chi-square test. Correlation of age and MI and PMI was found by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. RESULTS: MCI, PMI and MI were related to the menopausal status. Patients with C3 category were seen only in post-menopausal group after 54 years of age. Higher mean values for both MI (p<0.05) and PMI (p<0.05) were observed in pre-menopausal group with statistically significant differences. MI showed negative correlation with age in both the groups; however PMI was positively correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Radiomorphometric indices could be used by general dentists after a little training to detect post-menopausal women at higher risk of osteoporosis.