Comparison of mandibular bone in normal and osteoporotic women.

This study compared dental findings in normal and osteoporotic women and evaluated the variables that best separated the two groups. The osteoporotic group had less mandibular bone mass and density and a thinner cortex at the gonion than the normal group. The osteoporotic group also had a greater percentage of subjects who were edentulous. In subjects who had natural teeth, there was greater tooth loss. No differences in periodontal measurements were found between osteoporotic and normal groups. Mandibular bone mass and the number of teeth were statistically most effective for separating the populations. However, considerable overlap was found between the osteoporotic and normal groups in all variables.