The Relationship Between the Mandibular Bone Quality Assessed by Digital Panoramic Radiography and Serum Biological Parameters in Patients Planning Dental Implant Surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone density of the implant site with panoramic radiomorphometric parameters [mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI)], and to investigate the relationships between bone density, vitamin D, HDL, and LDL. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with mandibular first molar or second molar tooth deficiency who had undergone implant surgery were included in the study. Blood samples and panoramic MCI and MI parameters were used to evaluate mandibular bone density. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The relationships between MI and the study variables were assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficient. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the relationships between MCI and the study variables. p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were significant weak positive correlationsof MI with Vitamin D and LDL (r = 0.329, p = 0.038; r = 0.341, p = 0.031). Vitamin D, LDL, and HDL measurements were not statistically different among the MCI groups (p=0.100, p=0.119, p=0.840, respectively). Conclusions: Vitamin D level may carry importance in addition to radiographic and clinical parameters; thus, patients should be evaluated in this respect. Further studies involvinglarger patient groups are needed to conclude the relationship between vitamin D level and bone quality.