Evaluation of the relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal diseases

Osteoporosis and periodontal diseases are both multifactorial and are mostly associated with aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal diseases.

In this analytical/cross-sectional study, periodontal examinations were carried out on 98 women who had undergone bone mass densitometry. Of these cases, considering the inclusion criteria, 75 women were selected and assigned to three groups of the same age average. Periodontal examinations consisted of the number of lost teeth, probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, plaque index and gingival index. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (α=0.05).

CAL mean in osteoporotic group in comparison to the other groups (p value = 0.004) and gingival recession (GR) mean in osteoporotic and osteopenic groups compared to the normal group (p value = 0.001) were significantly higher value. However, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI), probing depth and the number of remaining teeth did not exhibit significant differences between the groups (p value > 0.05). There was a direct and positive correlation between age and GI (p value = 0.001), PI (p value = 0.03) and GR (p value = 0.01); however, age did not exhibit a significant correlation with PD and CAL (p value > 0.05). GI had a positive and significant correlation with PI (p value = 0.00002) and PD (p value = 0.00003) but did not have a significant correlation with GR and CAL (p value > 0.05). PI had a positive and significant correlation with GR (p value = 0.01) and PD (p value = 0.005), with no significant correlation with CAL (p value > 0.05).

Under the limitations of the present study, the relationship between clinical attachment loss and a decrease in bone density might indicate that osteoporosis might be considered a potential risk factor for periodontal diseases. However, Further studies are recommended.