Influence of Osteoporosis on jawbones of postmenopausal women

The scientific objective of the project proposal is to establish whether the quality and quantity of the jaw bones in postmenopausal women identified by conic radiation computed tomography (CRCT) is affected by the general bone mineral density (BMD). Evaluate whether the CRCT examination may be used to identify the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The scientific study will provide new knowledge in medicine about association of BMD with changes in the jaw bones, which will promote the development of the field of smart specialisation of the Latvian Smart Specialisation Strategy (SSS) - development of medicine, and will comply with priority 6 of SSS. The results of the study related to use of CRCT for establishing osteoporosis risk can be used to develop guidelines for dentists and radiologists which will enable dentists and radiologists to select patients with increased risk of osteoporosis and refer them for further specific examination.

Pursuant to the study objectives, it will be established whether

• the radiologic structure and thickness of the mandibular coronary bone measured by CRCT is affected by BMD in postmenopausal women, whether CRCT may be used to identify osteoporosis risk
• The scope (volume) of the alveolar bone resorption of toothless jaws is affected by BMD.
• Changes in cortical and trabecular bone in the first cervical vertebra identified by CRCT correlate with BMD.
• The quality of the alveolar bone in toothless jaws (cortical and trabecular bone quantity and proportions) is affected by BMD.

The results of the study will be published in 2 internationally cited scientific articles and presented at two international conferences and one local conference