Trabecular bone pattern of the mandible. Comparison of panoramic radiography with computed tomography.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the possible correlation between the trabecular bone pattern of the edentulous mandible visualized by panoramic radiography and the bone mineral density (BMD) measured by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Panoramic radiography and CT were performed on 28 patients with edentulous mandibles. The trabecular bone pattern of 47 regions on the panoramic radiographs was classified into one of five grades. BMD was measured within circular regions of interest on the axial CT images in the corresponding trabecular area. The gradings were correlated with the CT values using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the grade of the trabecular bone pattern and the BMD (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The proposed classification for the trabecular bone pattern on panoramic radiographs might be a useful aid for the evaluation of the edentulous mandible prior to implant placement.