Changes in Jaw Dimensions and Bone Density in Patients with Osteoporosis

Osteopenia and osteoporosis induce the reduction of bone mass in human jaws [1-13]. Reduced blood flow to mandibular compact bone layers and systemic osteoporosis could result in significant reduction of residual ridges [14]. From the standpoint of treatment planning and restorative procedures in the rehabilitation of toothless and edentulous osteoporotic patients, atrophic residual alveolar ridges and bone reduction in osteoporotic layers after tooth extraction are of particular concern. In this respect, the most significant part of any therapeutic approach should be quality assessment of osteoporotic jaw bone condition. In spite of the fact that numerous techniques and up-todate scanning devices contribute to improvements in diagnostic procedures and therapy, panoramic radiographs and retroalveolar dental radiographs remain the valuable and reliable method of assessing dimensions, mass and bone density in clinical dental practice and research. The aim of this study was to present the methods of radiographic analysis in patients with osteoporosis prior to restorative treatment and rehabilitation of edentulous jaws.