Radiomorphometric Parameters in Mandibular Panoramic Radiographs of Hypothyroid Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Thyroid hormones have a catabolic effect on bone mineral homeostasis. Hypothyroid patients have shown changes in bone mineral density with increased risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Radiomorphometric parameters on panoramic images are good indicators of bone mineral density. The aim of the study was to compare the radiomorphometric parameters in dental panoramic images of patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism with age- and gender-matched control populations.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 47 patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism were measured for radio morphometric indices like mental index (MI), The inferior panoramic mandibular index (PMI), antegonial index (AGI), gonial Index (GI) and mandibular cortical Index (MCI). The measurements were compared with age and gender matched 50 healthy controls.

Results: The mean values of MI (3.11), PMI (0.28), and GI (1.38) were lower in hypothyroidism than in 50 healthy controls which was 3.17, 0.30 and 1.33, respectively. However, only AGI (3.14) showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: This study showed radiomorphometric parameters like MI, PMI, GI and AGI are valuable indicators of bone changes in mandible of patients with systemic diseases like hypothyroidism. Although statistically significant difference was seen only in AGI compared to healthy controls. Further studies with larger samples can provide substantial data. Applying newer technologies like machine learning can also help us determine whether mandibular morphometric parameters can predict changes in bone mineral density in hypothyroid cases.