Investigation of the Relationship between Osteoporosis and Tooth Loss in Menopausal Women

Osteoporosis is the most common bone metabolic disease worldwide. On the other hand, periodontitis is one of the main factors of tooth loss in aged persons; especially in the case group of this study: menopausal women. Since different studies have reported opposite results in this regard, we aimed to evaluate the effect of osteoporosis on tooth loss status. This study was performed based on evaluation of bone-density of tight and back with method of Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2010. A total of 60 patients referring to Bone Densitometry Center of Imam Reza hospital who met the required criteria were selected and divided into three groups of Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and normal. Then evaluation on periodontal markers such as bone decline and tooth loss (TL) was performed. The patients doubtful to periodontal disease and bone decline were referred for panoramic radiography. Finally, evaluated periodontal markers were compared in three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 11.5 and statistical dependent T test was examined. P equal or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean bone-decline was more in osteoporosis group rather than two other groups, but the difference was not significant (P=0.065). Also, mean of tooth loss (p=0.884) was not significantly different between three groups of Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and normal group. In this study, no significant difference was observed between three groups in terms of bone decline and tooth loss. However, more studies covering all possible interventional variables and performing linear studies are necessary.