Relationship between the mandibular and lumbar vertebral bone mineral density at different postmenopausal stages.

OBJECTIVE To analyse the relationship between mandibular and general skeletal mineral status at two different postmenopausal stages. METHODS Using dual energy quantitative computed tomography, the mandibular and 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in 21 women within five years after the menopause (recent postmenopause) and 23 women more than five years after (long-term postmenopause). RESULTS There were significant correlations between the mandibular cortical and L3 vertebral BMD (p < 0.01) in the recent postmenopausal women and between the mandibular BMD and the trabecular BMD of L3 vertebrae (p < 0.05) in the long-term postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the general mineral status more markedly affects the mandibular cortex in the recent postmenopausal stage and both cortical and trabecular bone in the long-term postmenopausal stage.