Radiographic Detection of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Using Dental Panoramic Imaging among Bangladeshi Women

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health concern among postmenopausal women, particularly in low-resource settings where access to bone densitometry is limited. Dental panoramic radiography may offer a simple, cost-effective alternative for early identification of women at risk of low bone mass. Objective: To assess mandibular cortical morphology and radio morphometric indices on panoramic radiographs for detecting radiographic features of osteoporosis among postmenopausal Bangladeshi women. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dhaka Dental College Hospital from July, 2022 to June, 2023. Panoramic radiographs of 50 randomly selected postmenopausal women aged 50–80 years were evaluated. The Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI), Mental Index (MI), and Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI) were measured using standard methods. Results: Normal mandibular cortices (C1) were observed in 32.0% of participants, while 28.0% had moderately eroded cortices (C2) and 40.0% exhibited severely eroded cortices (C3). Nearly half (46.0%) had MI values below 3 mm, and 62.0% had PMI values below 0.30. Based on combined indices, 38.0% of the women were categorized as having radiographic features suggestive of osteoporosis. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of postmenopausal Bangladeshi women demonstrated radiographic indicators of osteoporosis. Panoramic imaging offers potential as an adjunctive, low-cost tool for early detection of osteoporosis, particularly in regions where advanced diagnostic facilities are unavailable.