Radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bones in an 18th century population.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate four radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bones in an 18th century population sample, and possibly associate the findings with bone mass loss related to sex, age, nutritional habits and pathologies reflecting on the bone.


METHODS
Thirty-six sculls (31 males, 5 females), recovered from the crypt of Požega Cathedral in Croatia were analyzed. Age estimation was based on tooth wear, and Eichner class was determined according to the number of occlusal supporting zones. The parameters in recording analogue orthopantomographs were set to constant current of 16 mA, exposure time of 14.1s, and voltage between 62-78 kV. Films were processed in an automatic dark chamber processor for 12 min, and digitized at 8-bit, 300 dpi. The thickness of the mandibular cortex was assessed below the mental foramen (MI), at antegonion (AI), at gonion (GI). Qualitative mandibular cortical index (MCI) was assessed.


RESULTS
Average values of MI, AI and GI were 3.97 ± 0.94 mm, 2.98 ± 0.56 mm, and 1.99 ± 0.55 mm, respectively. Statistically significant differences between males and females were found for AI right (p=0.014), GI left (p=0.010) and GI average (p=0.006), and were in all cases higher in males. There were no statistically significant differences between age groups for either index (p>0.05). Considering Eichner classification the differences were not significant for MI (p=0.422), AI (p=0.516), and GI (p=0.443), but in Eichner classes II, MCI was significantly higher (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The obtained data does not suggest generalized malnutrition or calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D deprivation in the historic population studied.
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: amalcicivan@gmail.com.
Ana
A
Ivanišević Malčić
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: matijevic@sfzg.hr.
Jurica
J
Matijević
Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: vodanovic@sfzg.hr.
Marin
M
Vodanović
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: dkz@sfzg.hr.
Dubravka
D
Knezović Zlatarić
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: prpic@sfzg.hr.
Goranka
G
Prpić Mehičić
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: jukic@sfzg.hr.
Silvana
S
Jukić
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010164:Paleopathology; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
18th century; Bone mass loss; Mandible; Orthopantomograph; Radiomorphometric index