The relationship between the density of the alveolar processes and that ofpost-cranial bone

Skeletal mass declines in all populations with age, and the literature sugg ests that changes in oral bone may Be linked to the status of the post-cran ial (systemic) skeleton. However, there is a lack of information defining t he relationship between alveolar process bone and the post-cranial skeleton in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) if the bone densities of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar processes are related to the Bone density of the spine, hip, or radius in healthy women; and (2) if the alveolar process densities decline with age. Forty-one denta te Caucasian women aged 20 to 78 years underwent assessment of post-cranial (systemic) and alveolar process bone. D-speed vertical bitewing and periap ical radiographs incorporating aluminum stepwedges, controlled exposure and processing conditions, and a density correction algorithm were used to mak e alveolar process density assessments with regions of interest (ROIs) apic al to crestal bone and intrabony defects. Anteroposterior lumbar (L1 to L4) and lateral lumbar (L2 to L4) spine, total hip land subregions), and radiu s bane densities were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) . Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between maxillary alveolar process bone density and the density of the mandibular alveolar p rocess (r = 0.57, p less than or equal to 0.001), anteroposterior lumbar sp ine (r = 0.53, p less than or equal to 0.001), lateral lumbar spine (r = 0. 52, p less than or equal to 0.001), total hip (r = 0.39, p = 0.01), total r adius (r = 0.39, p = 0.01), and age (r = -0.38, p = 0.01). A two-tailed t t est comparison revealed significantly greater maxillary alveolar process bo ne density in women younger than 50 years of age than in those 50 and older (p less than or equal to 0.01). We conclude that the density of maxillary alveolar process bone is significantly related to the density of the mandib ular alveolar process, lumbar spine, hip, and radius in healthy women and t hat maxillary alveolar process bone density declines with age.