Valoración densitométrica de los maxilares en pacientes desdentados mediante absorciometría dual de doble energía de rayos x (DEXA)

Zusammenfassung

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse in vivo the bone mineral density of the toothless jawbones using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This method is used to attempt to assess the differences between the different parts of the jawbone, as well as differences between different ages and sexes, generating a density map. Materials & methods: The study group was made up of 40 patients (22 women, 18 men) who had had several teeth missing for over 9 months. A densitometric measurement of the toothless area was carried out using DXA. The comparative statistical study of qualitative value frequency tables was carried out using the Chi-square Test with Yates’ correction. Whilst the relations between the two groups was determined using the Student’s t-test, a Variance Analysis (ANOVA) was used to study relations between one or two factors and Duncan’s multiple-range tests was also used. Results: Results worthy of note include an average general density of 0.914 g/cm2 (s = 0.195) and statistically significant differences between the upper-lower areas (p<0.01), anterior-posterior (p<0.05), anterior inferior-posterior inferior (p<0.01), anterior inferior-anterior superior (p<0.01), lower right-upper right (p<0.01), and lower left-upper left (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of sex or age. Conclusions: A preliminary density map was created of the jawbone areas and DXA was shown to be a valid method for measuring jawbone mineral density in vivo, although adaptations to the device and method are required for practical usage.