Alexandria, VA, USA – A study aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of mandibular condyle trabecular bone density (MCTBD) obtained via CBCT-based patient-specific internal calibration in osteoporosis screening was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
The abstract, “Internal-Density Calibration of Mandibular Condyles for Osteoporosis Screening Among Females” was presented during the “Late Breaking Abstracts V” Poster Session that took place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time (UTC-6).
The study, by Anh D. Le of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, USA, conducted a cross-sectional investigation of 357 de-identified CBCT DICOM files of dentate females. ImageJ software 2.0 was used to determine the gray value (GV) of bilateral mandibular condylar heads’ trabecular portion at its greatest mediolateral dimension. MCTBD was derived through an internal calibration formula involving GV of condyles, soft tissue, and air. A paired t test was performed to compare both sides of the MCTBDs. On a subset of population (n-110), who had undergone a standard of care, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan within ±5 years of CBCT examination, the hip and femur variables were correlated with the MCTBD.
A significant correlation (p < 0.001) was found between right MCTBD and total hip BMD (r = 0.48), total hip T score (r = 0.56), and femur T score (r = 0.44). Patients with low bone mass (hip T score <-1) had a highly significant 30% reduction in right MCBD compared to healthy patients, while there is no such difference in the left condyle (p = 0.13). Around 45 - 60 years of age, there was a notable (p < 0.001) difference in the MCTBD between two sides, with the right side being denser. The linear regression model involving right MCTBD, body mass index, and age showed 80% sensitivity, 66.6% specificity, and 79% area under the ROC in predicting low bone mass.
The study revealed a distinct correlation of right MCTBD with other joints' BMD during menopause, suggesting a potential for improved osteoporosis screening through dental CBCT. It further warrants investigations into its correlation with degenerative joint diseases.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of IADR. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.