for immediate release December 1996
contact:
Chris Martin; [email protected]
Jann Ingmire; [email protected]
312/440-2806
Two Studies Suggest Dental X-Rays Good Screening Tools for Stroke,
Osteoporosis
CHICAGO - Two studies published in the December issue of the Journal of
the American Dental Association (JADA) suggest that dental x-rays are
effective screening tools for strokes and osteoporosis.
One study, conducted by researchers at the Veterans Affairs Medical
Center in Sepulvada, Calif., examined cepholometric x-rays of 1,063
healthy men between the ages 25 and 85 to determine if they revealed
atherosclerotic lesions or blockage in the carotid artery that carries
blood to the brain. The V.A. researchers discovered that 2 percent of
the subjects had blockages that were visible at the third and fourth
cervical vertebrae, an area that is visible to dentists who use a
cephalometric x-ray machine. This equipment is commonly used by
orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons to evaluate the jaws
and face for deformities.
Arteriosclerosis is the most common cause of stroke. Approximately
one-third of individuals suffering a stroke die within the year. The
lead researcher, Dr. Arthur Friedlander, recommended that the findings
be used by dentists to refer patients with blocked carotid arteries to a
physician. Other researchers have recently reported that asymptomatic
patients whose carotid artery is more than 60 percent blocked can reduce
their risk of stroke by more than half if the plaque is surgically
removed. Those with less extensive lesions may require medications to
prevent further build up. Earlier studies have shown that a calcified
carotid artery is a strong marker of underlying coronary artery disease.
In the other study published in the December JADA, researchers at the
University of Washington School of Dentistry conducted an analysis of
the panoramic and periapical x-rays of 111 women and found that dental
x-rays are as effective as traditional diagnostic methods at
distinguishing osteoporatic from non-osteoporatic subjects. The
researchers compared diagnostic methods used to evaluate panoramic and
periapical dental x-rays and then compared these methods with three
standard bone density measurement techniques used to diagnose
osteoporosis.
"We found that using the pixel intensity and fractal dimension
diagnosis of dental x-rays was just as effective as traditional
diagnostic methods in measuring bone density," said Dr. Anne-Marie
Bollen, assistant professor, Department of Orthodontics at the
University of Washington School of Dentistry. Pixel intensity refers to
the fineness of the x-ray image. Fine pixel intensity allows the
dentist or physician to more readily discern bone density.
Dr. Bollen stressed that dental x-rays offer advantages over other
imaging techniques because dental x-rays are common and are less
expensive than other diagnostic imaging methods.
The authors concluded
that dental x-rays may serve as a valuable tool to assist dentists in
screening their patients for signs of osteoporosis.
The authors note
that more than 1 million bone fractures occur in the United States as a
result of osteoporosis, a generalized decrease in bone mass that
develops in the later decades of life. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis
could identify people at risk for experiencing fractures and enable them
to take preventive measures.
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