ABSTRACT
AIM: The association between bone quality and fracture risk in the mandibular angle with the presence of impacted/semi-impacted third molars and after their extraction is controversial. This study aimed to assess mandibular bone quality in digital radiographies of patients after extraction of impacted/semi-impacted lower third molars. METHODS: A total of 130 sets of digital panoramic radiographies were selected and divided into the following three groups: Group 1 with 50 panoramic radiographies of patients with impacted/semi-impacted lower third molars, Group 2 with 30 panoramic radiographies of patients with lower third molar agenesis, and Group 3 with 50 panoramic radiographies of patients after extraction of impacted/semi-impacted lower third molars. The mandibular angular cortex was the anatomical structure used as parameter for bone quality assessment. ANOVA and Student's t test were applied for comparison between groups. RESULTS: Mandibular angular cortical width was significantly lower when the third molar was present in both genders (P<0.05). Agenesis of the third molar in women was associated with lower thickness of the mandibular cortex when compared with patients who had their third molar extracted (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the absence of impacted/semi-impacted lower third molars, was associated with a significant increase in cortical width.
Subject(s)
Mandible/diagnostic imaging , Mandibular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Molar, Third/surgery , Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Panoramic , Tooth Extraction , Tooth, Impacted/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Disease Susceptibility , Female , Fractures, Spontaneous/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Mandible/surgery , Mandibular Diseases/etiology , Mandibular Fractures/epidemiology , Osteoporosis/etiology , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Period , Risk , Tooth, Impacted/complications , Young AdultABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Association between the presence of an elongated styloid process, vascular calcification (atheroma) and the potential risk factor for osteoporosis was studied. Presence of an elongated styloid process was found to be correlated with systemic osteoporosis and also between elongated styloid process and atheroma. INTRODUCTION: The association between the presences of an elongated styloid process and vascular calcification (atheroma) with the potential risk factor assessment for osteoporosis was studied. METHODS: Bone mineral density obtained by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry diagnosed osteopenia/osteoporosis on at least two of three sites (column, hips, and forearm) of 50 female patients. Panoramic maxillomandibular radiographs were taken and analyzed. Elongation of the styloid processes was measured and the presence of atheromas in the carotid was investigated. RESULTS: Eighty percent of the patients presented at least one side with elongated styloid process and the highest prevalence (87.5%) occurred in individuals between 60 and 69 years. Atheroma was found in four patients, three of which presented elongated styloid on at least one side and had diagnosed osteoporosis on at least two of the evaluated sites. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation was found between the elongation of the styloid process and systemic osteoporosis, and between elongated styloid process and atheroma. The method in this study might be used as part of a method for osteopenia/osteoporosis and atheroma risk assessment.
