Background: Panoramic radiographs are increasingly considered as a screening
tool in the search for osteopaenia and osteoporosis. No information on
normal ranges of radiographic parameters of the inferior cortex (IC) in Polish
population has been found in literature; therefore, the objective of the study
was to determine normal ranges of mandibular inferior cortex width on panoramic
radiographs and to examine the influence of gender and age on these
parameters.
Material and methods: The material consisted of 877 digital panoramic radiographs
taken of patients aged 20 to 95 years (mean 48.69 years), including
467 females and 410 males. Mandibular inferior cortex width at the mental foramina
was estimated, and the obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: It was found that IC and mental index (MI) values in the studied group
of Polish patients depended on age. As far as gender is considered, IC and MI
were higher in males. When age and gender were discussed simultaneously,
the highest values of IC and MI were observed in age group 30–39 years in
both genders, followed by a gradual decrease with age, but this decrease was
more pronounced in females.
Conclusions: The elaborated norms of panoramic radiomorphometric parameters
in Polish patients may serve as a source of comparison for radiological
and clinical applications. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 272–281