The bone density of mandible as the aging process in Koreans

Lee, Chul Won; Kim, Chul Hwan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
This study compared the alveolar bone density of the mandible according to gender, age and position using Cone-beam computed tomography (CT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The maxillofacial CT scan data was obtained from 60 Korean patients. In addition, the alveloar bone density of 5 males and 5 females with normal occlusion aged from 10 to 70 years was measured at the buccal cortical bone, cancellous bone and lingual cortical bone, as well as at the position of the incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
RESULTS
The age-specific mean bone density was highest in patients in their third decade. The buccal cortical bone of the molars showed the highest bone density. Males in their fifties and sixties had a higher bone density in the cancellous bone in the region of the premolars and the buccal cortical bone of the molars, respectively, than females but there was no significant difference between males and females in the other parts. The cancellous bone density was highest in those in their twenties and thirties, and tended to decline up to their seventh decade.
CONCLUSION
These results revealed a significantly different bone density according to gender, age and position in the Korean population. In addition, it is possible to predict the bone density based on these results.