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Context: In most women bone mass reaches its peak in the third decade of life and declines thereafter with the onset of menopause and might lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis may result in reduced jaw bone mass and alterations of the mandibular structure. Qualitative and quantitative indices have been used for panoramic radiographs to assess the alveolar bone quality. Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the alveolar bone quality of premenopausal and postmenopausal women using the panoramic mandibular index (PMI). This study also aimed to estimate the levels of serum calcium in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Settings and Design: Single centre case control study. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients were divided into three groups of ten each - the healthy group, control group, and study group. Alveolar bone mass was evaluated by the PMI. Serum calcium was also assessed for all the patients. Statistical analysis used: The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance using Statistical Software SPSS version 17, Tukey test for comparision, Pearson's correlation coefficient was employed. Results: Premenopausal women had the highest values for alveolar cortical bone mass as recorded by the PMI, followed by postmenopausal women with a healthy periodontium. The lowest values were recorded in the group of postmenopausal women with chronic generalized periodontitis. Similar results were found for serum calcium values. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women exhibit a reduced alveolar bone mass and lowered levels of serum total calcium with the increasing age. These changes may be useful indicators for low skeletal bone mineral density or osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Periodontal disease is one of the common inflammatory diseases with complex etiology and is multifactorial in origin. Several enzymes are evaluated for the early diagnosis of periodontal disease. The enzyme ALP plays a role in bone metabolism. In the periodontium, ALP is very important enzyme as it is part of normal turnover of periodontal ligament, root cementum, and bone homeostasis. The deficiency of estrogen in women at menopause is contributing factor to osteoporosis and considered one of the risk factors for periodontal disease. It has been hypothesized that osteoporosis decreases alveolar bone density and in turn increases its susceptibility to resorption due to periodontal inflammation. Accelerated bone loss in menopause is related to increased bone turnover. This is accompanied by increased levels of biochemical markers such as Alkaline Phosphatase. Alteration in salivary Alkaline Phosphatase levels might be expected as an indication of periodontal disease activity. Methods: The study included 40 subjects, 20 in each group in the age group of 50-60 years. Group 1 comprised of 20 Postmenopausal women without chronic periodontitis. Group 2 comprised of 20 Postmenopausal women with chronic periodontitis. Each saliva sample was estimated for ALP levels. Results: The present study showed significant increase in Alkaline Phosphatase in postmenopausal women with periodontitis (Group 2) with p value <0.0001. Interpretation and conclusion: Alkaline phosphatase can be used as a diagnostic marker of Periodontitis in postmenopausal women. However ALP cannot be solely responsible for Periodontitis but it can be used as a additional aid in diagnosing Periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]