Mandibular morphological changes in low bone mass edentulous females: evaluation of panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological changes of the mandible in osteopenic and osteoporotic edentulous females. STUDY DESIGN Fifty-two female edentulous patients underwent panoramic radiography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Measurements of the gonial angle, antegonial angle, antegonial depth, antegonial index (AI), and mental index (MI) were performed. Patients were classified as normal (T-score > -1.0), osteopenic (T-score of -1.0 to 0 -2.5), or osteoporotic (T-score < -2.5). RESULTS The gonial angle did not show differences among the three categories of skeletal bone status (P > .05). The antegonial angle was significantly smaller in individuals with low bone mass (P < .05). The antegonial depth was significantly greater in osteoporotic (P < .05) and osteopenic individuals (P < .05). The AI and MI were significantly smaller in individuals with low bone mass (P < .05); however, after age adjustment there were no differences among the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Edentulous females with low bone mass have a deeper antegonial region. The thickness of the cortical mandibular bone is highly influenced by age.