Radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bones in an 18th century population

Objective To estimate four radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bones in an 18th century population sample, and possibly associate the findings with bone mass loss related to sex, age, nutritional habits and pathologies reflecting on the bone. Design Thirty-six sculls (31 males, 5 females), recovered from the crypt of Požega Cathedral in Croatia were analyzed. Age estimation was based on tooth wear, and Eichner class was determined according to the number of occlusal supporting zones. The parameters in recording analogue orthopantomographs were set to constant current of 16 mA, exposure time of 14.1 s, and voltage between 62–78 kV. Films were processed in an automatic dark chamber processor for 12 min, and digitized at 8-bit, 300 dpi. The thickness of the mandibular cortex was assessed below the mental foramen (MI), at antegonion (AI), at gonion (GI). Qualitative mandibular cortical index (MCI) was assessed. Results Average values of MI, AI and GI were 3.97 ± 0.94 mm, 2.98 ± 0.56 mm, and 1.99 ± 0.55 mm, respectively. Statistically significant differences between males and females were found for AI right (p = 0.014), GI left (p = 0.010) and GI average (p = 0.006), and were in all cases higher in males. There were no statistically significant differences between age groups for either index (p > 0.05). Considering Eichner classification the differences were not significant for MI (p = 0.422), AI (p = 0.516), and GI (p = 0.443), but in Eichner classes II, MCI was significantly higher (p = 0.02). Conclusion The obtained data does not suggest generalized malnutrition or calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D deprivation in the historic population studied.