Using a panoramic radiographic study, the Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI), Mandibular Cortical Width (MCW) or Mental Index (MI) are used to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and identify sexual dimorphism

Abstract

Regressive changes take place in all human tissues, including bone, throughout life. One of these alterations in the human skeletal system is osteoporosis, which starts with the slight bone changes known as osteopenia. Jawbones are where this bony alteration starts in the majority of severe instances. Due to hormonal changes, post-menopausal women have a higher incidence of osteoporosis than the general population, which typically begins in the fourth decade of life. The jaw's bony alterations may be evaluated with the use of a panoramic radiograph, which is also useful in identifying osteoporotic abnormalities. We can examine the qualitative and quantitative panoramic indices in a panoramic radiograph, such as the panoramic mandibular index (PMI), to ascertain sexual dimorphism and estimate bone mineral density (BMD), which is primarily influenced by age and gender. : A total of 100 patients, 50 men and 50 women, between the ages of 50 and 80, were gathered for the examination. Each patient's orthopantomogram (OPG) was recorded and examined using Sideaxis 4 Viewer (Sinora) software. Three experts completed all of the measurements, and the mean value was statistically analysed. : The results was obtained using an independent t-test. For both groups, the standard deviation was 7.022 and the mean age was 59.450. Males had mean SLs of 17.32 mm, ILs of 14.15 mm, and MCWs of 4.23 mm. Females had mean SLs of 15.45mm, ILs of 12.94mm, and MCWs of 3.89mm. Further calculations revealed that the mean sPMI and mean iPMI in men and females were, respectively, 0.24mm and 0.29mm, 0.22mm and 0.26. The P values for the sPMI, iPMI, and MCW parameters were, respectively, 0.084, 0.020, and 0.001 and were all significant. After evaluating all the data, it can be said that radio morphometric indices PMI and MCW or MI may be trusted to accurately measure bone mineral density. Nevertheless, due to the paucity of studies, PMI and MCW results for assessing sexual dimorphism may differ.