Mandibular residual ridge height in relation to age, gender and duration of edentulism in a Saudi population: A clinical and radiographic study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical and radiographic study was to evaluate the effect of age, gender and duration of edentulism on the amount of mandibular residual ridge resorption in a Saudi population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Partially and completely edentulous Saudi patients (50 male and 64 female) attending the outpatient clinics at College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were included. Current age, gender of subjects and date of start of edentulism were recorded. Digital panoramic dental radiograph less than 1 year old of each patient was examined. The height of edentulous mandible was measured as described in the American College of Prosthodontists Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index (PDI) classification. Students t-test and ANOVA post hoc tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and chi square (χ(2)) analysis were performed as indicated. Level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Male patients showed a significantly greater mandibular bone height compared to female patients. Age and bone height were statistically significantly negatively correlated (p = 0.0001). However, age and mandibular bone height in only male patients was negatively correlated and reached statistical significance (p = 0.001) A negative correlation was observed between duration of edentulism and mandibular bone height in both genders, but was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a Saudi population, men have greater mandibular bone height than women and also exhibit a negative correlation between age and mandibular bone height that is statistically significant. In contrast, women exhibited a negative correlation between age and mandibular bone height, but was not statistically significant.