Does low bone mineral density have an association with head and neck soft tissue calcifications?

Abstract

To evaluate whether low bone mineral density (BMD) has an association with the presence of head and neck soft tissue calcifications (STC), aging, and impaired mandibular canal cortices visibility. Panoramic radiographs of 1000 women aged between 50 and 75years oldwere evaluated by two examiners to classify BMD using mandibular cortical index (C1- normal, C2-moderately eroded and C3-severely eroded), the presence of STC, and also the mandibular canal cortices visibility at the ramus region. Chi-square test evaluated the association between the variables (α = 5%). There was no association between bone loss and the presence of head and neck soft tissue calcifications, except for calcified thyroid cartilage, which was less visualized at C3 group than others (p < 0.05). Women aged 61 to 70years old presented higher bone loss than those between 50 and 60 (p < 0.05). The mandibular canal was more poorly visualized at C3 group than C1 and C2 (p < 0.05). In general, no association between BMD and the presence of STC was found. However, greater bone loss had a positive correlation with aging and impaired mandibular canal cortices visibility. No relationship between bone mineral density and the existence of soft tissue calcifications was found. Nevertheless, increased bone loss was positively associated with aging and a reduced mandibular canal cortices visibility. This finding highlights the clinical importance of considering bone density factors when planning treatment strategies for patients with related disorders.