Relationship between mandibular inferior cortex and general bone metabolism in older adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a link exists between the jawbone and general bone metabolism. The results of our study indicate that a mandibular inferior cortical erosion finding on dental panoramic radiographs is significantly associated with increased biochemical markers of bone turnover. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a link exists between the jawbone and general bone metabolism. We measured values of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (S-BAP) and urinary N-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen (U-NTX). To evaluate the jawbone, we used mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) classification on dental panoramic radiographs. After 134 subjects were divided into three groups (C1: normal cortex, C2: mildly to moderately eroded cortex, C3: severely eroded cortex), we evaluated the relationship between S-BAP or U-NTX and MIC classification by Scheffe's multiple comparison test. A significant correlation was found between MIC classification and S-BAP (C1 vs. C2: p < 0.01, C1 vs. C3: p < 0.01, C2 vs. C3: NS). A significant correlation was found between MIC classification and U-NTX (C1 vs. C2: p < 0.01, C1 vs. C3: p < 0.001, C2 vs. C3: p < 0.01). The results of our study indicate that the mandibular inferior cortical erosion finding on dental panoramic radiographs is significantly associated with increased S-BAP and U-NTX levels. We suggest that there is an association between the jawbone and general bone metabolism.