Radiomorphometric Indices and their Relation to Alveolar Bone Loss: A Panoramic Radiographic Study.

Aim: To assess the influence of gender and age on different parameters of alveolar bone loss using specific radiomorphometric indices on panoramic radiographs to aid in identifying patients with possible low bone mineral density (BMD). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 80 subjects in whom mandibular cortical index (MCI), mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), alveolar bone loss (ABL), and bone height in 1st premolar (Hp) and 1st molar (Hm) were assessed to evaluate the alveolar bone loss. Results: The findings of the present study revealed a significant association between MCI and age for females with C2 and C3 categories being more common with advancing age. Also, a significant difference could be seen in relation to gender (p-value = 0.0315) for MCW with a concomitant decrease in values of MCW in females >60 years of age. The vertical bone height of the edentulous mandible at 1st premolar (Hp) (p-value = 0.0071) and 1st molar (Hm) (p-value = 0.0044) regions were also found to be more in males than females. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographic measurements provided valuable information for alveolar bone loss in terms of gender and age based on specific radiomorphometric parameters.

Evaluation of Remineralizing Capacity of P11-4, CPP-ACP, Silver Diamine Fluoride, and NovaMin: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare remineralizing efficacy of NovaMin, CPP-ACP, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and P11-4. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty permanent premolars were divided into four groups with 15 samples in each group; group I: self-assembling peptide (P11-4), group II: SDF, group III: Casein phosphopeptide-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), and group IV: NovaMin. Mineral content was assessed using a scanning electron microscope at 7, 14, and 21 days after remineralization with each agent. RESULTS: The mean remineralization in group I at 7 days was 1.73 ± 0.02, at 14 days was 1.79 ± 0.01, and at 21 days was 1.90±0.03. Mean remineralization in group II was 1.61 ± 0.01, 1.64 ± 0.02, and 1.73 ± 0.03 at 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. Mean remineralization in group III was 1.62 ± 0.01, 1.65 ± 0.02, and 1.74 ± 0.05 at 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. Mean remineralization in group IV was 1.59 ± 0.02, 1.62 ± 0.07, and 1.70 ± 0.09 at 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. The maximum value was obtained on day 21. There was a significant difference in mean remineralization values between group I vs group II, group I vs group III, and group I vs group IV (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Self-assembling peptides showed maximum remineralization in tested specimens followed by CPP-ACP, SDF, and NovaMin-containing toothpaste. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CPP-ACP, SDF, and NovaMin-containing toothpaste can be indicated for remineralization of initial caries in clinical use.