title: Mandibular inferior cortical bone thickness on panoramic radiographs in patients using bisphosphonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to detect dimensional changes in the mandibular cortical bone associated with bisphosphonate (BP) use and to correlate measurements of the cortical bone with the cumulative dose of BPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mandibular inferior cortical bone thickness (MICBT) was measured under the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs of patients with and without bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) taking BPs and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with BRONJ had the highest mean MICBT (6.81 ± 1.35 mm), compared with patients without BRONJ taking BPs (5.44 ± 1.09 mm) and controls (4.79 ± 0.85 mm) (P < .01). Mean MICBT of patients with BRONJ was significantly higher than that of patients without BRONJ taking BPs. There was a correlation between MICBT and cumulative dose of zolendronate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of MICBT on panoramic radiographs is a potentially useful tool for the detection of dimensional changes associated with BP therapy.
authors: Department of Oral Pathology and Diagnosis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Visiting Faculty at University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: sandratorres@odonto.ufrj.br.
authors: Sandra R
authors: SR
authors: Torres
authors: Oral Radiology Specialty Program, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: Curtis S K
authors: CS
authors: Chen
authors: Dental Public Health Sciences and Biostatistics, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: Brian G
authors: BG
authors: Leroux
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors: Peggy P
authors: PP
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors: Lars G
authors: LG
authors: Hollender
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Lloid
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors: Shane Patrick
authors: SP
authors: Drew
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Director, Oral Medicine Service, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: Mark M
authors: MM
authors: Schubert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059266:Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires