Objective: Correlations between the widths of mandibular cortical bones and the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine were analyzed to evaluate the influence of the general bone condition.
Study design: Thirty postmenopausal women were enrolled in this investigation. The widths of cortical bones in sites of the mental foramen and the BMD of the mandibular cancellous bone were measured using multislice computerized tomography (CT) images. The BMD of the lumbar spine was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and the ratio to the young adult mean (YAM) was obtained.
Results: A weak correlation between the widths of cortical bones and the ratio to the YAM was observed. Also, correlations between the widths of cortical bones and the BMD of the mandible were noted.
Conclusion: The widths of buccal and lingual cortical bones in the mesial and distal sites of the mental foramen measured on axial CT images do not serve as a reliable examination for the BMD of the lumbar spine.