Predictors Factors of Low Bone Mineral Density in Dental PanoramicRadiographs

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease that is considered a public health problem since it presents socioeconomic impacts. The disease results in micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue and decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) with consequent increase of bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is considered the gold standard for BMD evaluation, but investigations about several panoramic radiography indices have been done in order to seek a predictor of low BMD so that the dentist can play an important role in screening patients with low BMD and referring them properly for bone densitometry for osteoporosis investigation. The aim of this paper is to present a review of mandibular radio morphometric indices evaluated in dental panoramic radiographies and used to recognize patients with low BMD.