To Evaluate the Bone Mineral Density in Mandible of Edentulous Patients using Computed Tomography: An In Vivo Study

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the bone mineral density in the mandible of edentulous patients at prospective intraoral implant sites. Pre-operative evaluation of bone density is essential to assist the clinician with the treatment planning of implant supported prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study group of 12 edentulous subjects comprising of six male and six female between the age group of 45-55 years seeking implant supported prosthesis were selected. A radiographic stent using auto polymerizing resins incorporating the gutta-percha cones were prepared for the computed tomography scan. The bone mineral density values were recorded in various sites (trabecular and cortical) of the mandibular jaws in Hounsfield units. The data thus obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal–Wallis test. RESULTS: The bone mineral density in the buccal cortical region of mandible increases from incisors to molars and in the trabecular region it is more in the incisors and canines compared to the premolar and molar regions whereas in the lingual cortical region of mandible may lie on nearly the same level over the entire lingual cortex. The bone mineral density is little higher in males than females. CONCLUSION: There is variation in the bone mineral density in the buccal cortex and trabecular bone, but no significant variation in the lingual cortex when compared between male and female subjects.