Diagnostic tools and biologic markers: Animal models in the study of osteoporosis and oral bone loss

Recent data have suggested that there mzy be a relationship between osteoporosis and oral bone loss. Both diseases are major public health problems of enormous magnitude, but their relationship is poorly understood. This is due to their complex pathogenesis and the fact that coexisting periodontal disease, loss of the dentition, site-specific variability in anatomy and bone density, as well as aging and many other factors development and progression of bone loss relative to each. The focus of this article is to review the characteristics of animals that are suited for studies of the relationship of osteoporosis and oral bone loss to better un their relationship