ABSTRACT
Introduction: The number of women with osteoporosis i.e. with reduced bone mass and disruption of bone architecture, is increasing in India due to severe deficiency of Vitamin D. It has been reported throughout the country in urban and rural post-menopausal women. Vitamin D synthesis is affected by geographical location, atmospheric pollution, clothing, melanin pigmentation and sunlight exposure. Moreover, ageing is also associated with decreased vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D deficiency is the most underdiagnosed medical condition in postmenopausal woman. Objective: Therefore, this study was planned to estimate and to evaluate alveolar bone mass using radio morphometric indices in postmenopausal women and its correlation with serum vitamin D3. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study comprising of a study group of 60 post-menopausal women, divided into 2 sub-groups, each group comprising of 30 individuals, depending on their occupation and domicile. Blood samples were taken to evaluate serum vitamin D3 level. Also, panoramic radiographs of all the study subjects were recorded for evaluation of 3 radio morphometric indices viz. mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI). Results: Statistical analysis revealed higher significant values in rural than in urban postmenopausal woman. Conclusions: A high overall prevalence (90%) of vitamin D deficiency was also observed in the study subjects.