[Measurement and analysis of bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae and alveolar bone in patients with periodontitis].

Periodontitis and osteoporosis are world-wide diseases. It has been suggested that periodontitis and osteoporosis might be related. In order to evaluate this possible relationship, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae and alveolar bone in 21 patients with severe chronic periodontitis (CP), 11 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP), and 14 normal persons was measured by dual photon absorptiometry. The results show: The alveolar BMD of periodontitis patients is significantly lower than normal persons. The lumbar vertebrae BMD has not significantly different between periodontitis patients and normal persons. The lumbar vertebrae BMD and alveolar BMD have not significantly different between CP and RPP. We therefore suggest that the alveolar BMD and lumbar vertebrae BMD have not relationship, the osteoporosis is not an important factor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.