An investigation of the relationship between systemic bone density and clinical periodontal status in postmenopausal Asian-American women

Objectives: The relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease is not understood. The aim of this study was to examine the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontal status in a population of Asian-American women. Design: Cross-sectional investigation of the association between systemic BM and periodontal status. Participants: Thirty post-menopausal, dentate, Asian-American women who were screened for osteoporosis and chronic periodontitis. Methods: BMD of the os calcis, composed primarily of trabecular bone, was assessed by DEXA scanning. Periodontal assessments included tooth loss, plaque index, probing depths, and clinical attachment levels. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the strength of associations between BMD and clinical parameters. Results: Statistically significant negative correlations were found between BMD and tooth loss and BMD and clinical attachment loss (p < 0.01). Those with normal BMD had lost, on average, 6.8 teeth, compared to 10.5 teeth in the osteopenic group, and 16.5 teeth in the osteoporotic group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Decreasing BMD was associated with increased clinical attachment loss and tooth loss that was independent of plaque scores. These data support an association between BMD and periodontal status.