Panoramic-Based Radiographic Indices as Indicators of Bone Mineral Density at the Lumbar Spine

Abstract

The authors of the study entitled "Can Torque Force during Dental Implant Placement Combined with Bone Mineral Density of Lumbar Spine Be Prediction Factors for Crestal Bone Structure Alterations?" published in issue 2014, 51, 4 of Dental and Medical Problems came to the important conclusion that bone mineral density of the lumbar spine is associated with the success of dental implant treatment. Assessment of bone mineral density of the lumbar spine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is a procedure that may not be possible or rational for most patients demanding dental implant therapy. Thus, indices derived from routine paraclinical examinations may be valuable in the prediction of success of dental implant treatment. Therefore, using panoramic-based radiographic indices as indicators of prediction factors for a successful implant treatment may be helpful. Mandibular cortical width and mandibular inferior cortex erosion have been linked to bone mineral density at the lumbar spine. Hence, panoramic-based radiographic indices may be useful in predicting the treatment outcome of dental implants. However, more studies are needed to support this hypothesis