RESUMEN

The correlation between periodontal disease and osteoporosis was evaluated by comparing age, panoramic radiographic and clinical parameters of periodontal disease. Diagnosis of osteoporosis in periodontal diseased patients was evaluated by panoramic radiographic parameters (mandibular cortical width:MCW). Subjects which had more than 20 teeth and examined by panoramic radiography were untreated adults with periodontal disease who were free of other systemic disease. The following parameters were examined on panoramic X-ray film:alveolar bone loss (ABL), mandibular bone mass with the use of mandibular cortical width (MCW). ABL was significantly higher and MCW significantly lower in the postmenopausal group (>6 years after menopause). The number of teeth was significantly lower and CAL significantly higher in the postmenopausal group (>11 years after menopause). Age and ABL correlated positively in men and women. Years after menopause and ABL and MCW and CAL in the postmenopausal group were correlated positively. Women whose MCW was less than mean - 2 SD should be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Our results demonstrated that periodontal disease correlates with osteoporosis, and MCW could be useful in detecting of osteoporosis in women with periodontal disease.