Periodontal status and bone metabolism in women in reproductive and postmenopausal periods.

Objectives Chronic periodontitis is one of the most common diseases in the world. Periodontitis occurs more frequently in postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes and in patients with osteoporosis. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare levels of alveolar bone loss of mandible and maxilla and bone tissue remodeling markers in women of reproductive and postmenopausal periods. Methods Fifty-nine women aged 25-68 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 42 women of reproductive age and Group II included 17 women in their postmenopausal period. The level of alveolar bone loss of mandible and maxilla was assessed using dental panoramic radiography, and the level of bone remodeling markers (Beta C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [β-CTx] and osteocalcin) was obtained in both groups. Results Women in the postmenopausal period have higher level of alveolar bone loss in mandible and maxilla than women of reproductive age. The level of ß-CTx and osteocalcin was significantly higher in Group II, compared to Group I (p=0.002 and p=0.005, respectively). Conclusions In postmenopausal women, on the background of significantly higher bone remodeling, an increase of alveolar bone loss of mandible and maxilla was observed.