Studies of the effect of general bone loss on periodontal condition an
d on development of periodontal pockets suggest that there is no clear
correlation between periodontal health or number of teeth and the gen
eral mineral status of the skeleton. In some reports, however, deep pe
riodontal pockets have been correlated with good mineral status in the
jawbones and skeleton. The purpose of this study of 227 healthy postm
enopausal women aged 48 to 56 years was to determine whether advanced
alveolar bone loss, diagnosed by panoramic radiographs, and periodonta
l probing depths or number of remaining teeth were correlated with the
bone mineral status of the skeleton and cortical bone in the mandible
. The results suggest that individuals with high mineral values in the
skeleton seem to retain their teeth with deep periodontal pockets mor
e easily than those with osteoporosis. This finding may especially mot
ivate treatment of persons suffering from advanced periodontal disease
but having good mineral status.