Radiomorphometric indices and their relation to gender, age, and dental status

Objectives. To evaluate the antegonial index (AI) and the mental index (MI) in edentulous and dentate patients, in different age groups and between genders. Study design. We evaluated 312 panoramic radiographs and grouped them into 4 10-year age groups. Gender, dentition status and age were recorded. The measurements were performed by 2 researchers independently. Results. The AI and MI were significantly smaller in older females, whereas they were greater for older males (P < 0.01). Edentulous individuals had a lower AI than dentate and partially dentate individuals (P < 0.01). Conclusions. There is a continuous remodelling in the mandibular cortex with age and this is influenced by dental status and gender. The difficulty of measuring the AI in a reproducible manner, its interaction with dental status and low correlation with MI in younger patients should discourage its use in detecting patients at risk of osteoporosis.