Open AccessDetecting low bone mineral density from dental radiographs: a mini-review
Author(s) -
James Graham
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical cases in mineral and bone metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.314
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1971-3266
pISSN - 1724-8914
DOI - 10.11138/ccmbm/2015.12.2.178
Subject(s) - radiography , osteoporosis , dentistry , bone mineral , medicine , orthodontics , radiology , pathology
Over a number of years researchers have reported associations between osteoporosis or low bone mineral density and signs that can be detected on dental radiographs, particularly in the width of the inferior mandibular cortex and the texture of the trabecular bone. As patients visit the dentist more regularly than they visit their doctor, there is the possibility that such signs could be used as a means of identifying individuals at risk of developing osteoporosis or suffering from consequent fracture. This paper reviews the historical background behind this research and the current status, including recent developments in automation of measurement using computer image analysis.