Evaluation of the association between osteoporosis and periodontitis in postmenopausal women: A clinical and radiographic study

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the osteoporotic condition and periodontitis in postmenopausal women.

Ninety‑four women aged 50–80 years were studied in this cross‑sectional study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra BMD (LBMD), total hip BMD (HBMD), and neck of femur BMD (NBMD) was assessed using standardized dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) (normal: T‑score ≥−1, osteopenic: −2.5 ≤ t‑score <−1, osteoporotic: T‑score <−2.5). Bleeding point index (BI), O’Leary plaque index (PI), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded. Cementoenamel junction, alveolar‑crest distance (CEJ‑AC) was measured from cone‑beam computed tomography images. Periodontitis severity was represented by CAL and CEJ‑AC distance. One‑way analysis of variance followed by Post hoc Tukey was performed for examining differences among the groups for different variables. Pearson correlation coefficient® and backward regression analysis were used to investigate the effect of confounding variables on CEJ‑AC as the dependent variable. Significance was considered at P < 0.05.

Mean CEJ‑AC was significantly higher in the osteoporotic and osteopenic groups compared to the normal group (P = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between CEJ‑AC and NBMD and LBMD (P < 0.001). The associations between LBMD and CEJ‑AC existed even after adjusting for confounding factors (P = 0.002). The differences in BI, PI, and CAL were not statistically different between the groups (P > 0.05).

Although osteoporosis is not the main cause of periodontitis, it can indirectly affect periodontal status by increasing CEJ‑AC. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis followed by early referral to a dentist for the treatment of potential existing periodontal diseases is important to avoid complications among postmenopausal women