Quantitative and qualitative index for diagnosing low bone density and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women

Objective: The objective of this study was to devise a qualitatively and quantitatively reliable index for screening chan- ges in mandibular bone density based on digital panoramic radiographs. Methods: A total of 252 panoramic radio- graphs and forearm bone densitometry scans of post-menopausal women were examined. Diagnosis of low density or osteoporosis was confirmed by comparing forearm densitometry diagnostic reports against diagnoses from radiogra - phs. Results: Pearson's tests showed a significant association between assessments by the quantitative and qualitative panoramic index (QQPI) based on panoramic radiography of the mandible and by densitometry (p < 0.001). The Kappa statistic also revealed significant agreement between the two methods of assessment (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results allowed confirmation of panoramic radiography as a useful method for detecting morphologic age-related chan - ges in the mandible and creation of a single QQPI to aid the diagnosis of mandibular low density/osteoporosis.