OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at comparing indices obtained from dental panoramic radiographs with bone densitometry results in the identification of individuals affected by osteoporosis/osteopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Panoramic mandibular, mental, antegonial, gonial and mandibular cortical indices calculated with basis on dental panoramic radiographs of postmenopausal women were compared with bone densitometry results, twice by one observer and once by a second observer. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found between the two measurements performed by the same observer, except for the antegonial index on the left side. Interobserver agreement for both sides was good. The variance analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences among groups (normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis) for all the indices evaluated. Differences were significant among all mean panoramic mandibular and mental indices. On the other hand, for the antegonial and gonial indices, only the normal group presented higher means as compared with the other groups (osteopenia and osteoporosis) which did not differ between themselves. CONCLUSION: The indices evaluated were reproducible; panoramic mandibular and mental indices presented the highest sensitivity in the detection of osteopenia/osteoporosis, however the panoramic mandibular index specificity was low. Although all the indices evaluated could identify low bone density, only the panoramic mandibular and mental indices could differentiate patients affected by osteopenia/osteoporosis.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Panoramic radiography, Risk factors