Osteoarthritic Bony Alterations of Temporomandibular Joint and Relation to Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Edentulous Females

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteoarthritic bony alterations in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and general bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal edentulous females. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for both TMJs were acquired for 80 clinically asymptomatic patients (mean age 72 ± 8.8 y). Both lumbar spine and femoral neck measurements of BMD were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The most frequently observed bony alterations were flattening of the articular surface (47.5%), sclerosis (41.5%), subcortical cysts (10%), and erosions (5%). Osteophytes were not observed. No statistical differences were observed between those who had or did not have radiological signs of bony alterations according to age or DXA scores. The prevalence of radiological findings of degenerative TMJ bony alterations in clinically asymptomatic postmenopausal females did not confirm a connection with a generally low BMD.