Mental Index and Panoramic Mandibular Index for Thai Osteoporosis Screening

Objectives: This research aims to correlate the Mental index (MI) and Panoramic mandibular index (PMI) of panoramic radiographs and some risk factors of osteoporosis from dental patients.
Methods: Panoramic radiographs of the Faculty of Dentistry Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand were collected from year 2005 to year 2013. MI and PMI were assessed. The data was obtained by measuring the width of lower mandibular cortex that is Mandibular cortical index or MI and the distance from lower border of the mental foramen to the line that perpendicular to the line that contact with lower border of mandible. Then find the ratio between MI and the distance from lower border of the mental foramen to the line that perpendicular to the line that contact with lower border of mandible. This ratio is Panoramic Mandibular Index, or PMI. The analysis divided into two part; (I) divided samples by sexes and (II) divided by age; Group (I) aged 20-30 years (male/female) (peak bone mass) and (II) those who aged over 60 years (male/female). Independent T-test and One-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis to compare collected data with the MI and PMI standard value which are 3 mm and 0.3 mm respectively.
Results: Part I shows only MI is statistically differences between male and female. Part II, From female aged over 60 years show the higher MI and lower PMI when compared with standard values significantly(p<0.05). Moreover, there are statistically differences between the MI of aged female group and young male group and the PMI of aged female group and young female group.
Conclusions: The MI from panoramic radiographs are differences between sexes, but the PMI are not. The value of MI and PMI from aged group female are not lower statistically significant when compared with other groups.