Bone mineral density and mandibular osteoporotic alterations in panoramic radiographs: Correlation by peripheral bone densitometry in men.

An inverse correlation was found between mandibular cortical index and proximal bone densitometry site. No correlation was found between mandibular cortical index and trabecular bone pattern or between peripheral densitometry and trabecular bone pattern. Greater accuracy was observed in mandibular cortical index when compared to trabecular bone pattern. Mandibular cortical index evaluations by panoramic radiographs are a useful screening tool for low bone mineral density, but trabecular bone pattern cannot be applied to screen patients for osteoporosis risk. Mandibular cortical index has an inverse correlation with proximal sites of forearm densitometry.