Mandibular cortical morphology in patients with osteoporosis using computer‐aided detection with dental panoramic imaging: A pilot study of the relation to age and bone‐modifying agents

Abstract Aim Mandibular cortical morphology with panoramic radiography is considered to be a useful technique for identifying at risk of osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the mandibular cortical morphology in patients with osteoporosis using computer‐aided detection (CAD) with dental panoramic imaging, especially the relation to age and bone‐modifying agents. Methods One hundred and thirteen patients with osteoporosis were underwent panoramic radiography. The mandibular cortical morphology, such as mandibular cortical index (MCI) and degree of deformation of mandibular inferior cortex, was analyzed automatically with a CAD with dental panoramic imaging “PanoSCOPE.” Those were analyzed in relation to age and bone‐modifying agents. Results Regarding Class 3 (severely eroded) of the MCI classifications, the frequency in 61–70, 71–80, and 81–90 years were 22.2%, 38.6%, and 26.3%, respectively, and the MCI in bisphosphonate and denosumab were 29.8% and 42.1%, respectively. The degree of deformation in 61–70, 71–80, and 81–90 years were 45.9 ± 22.6, 58.8 ± 20.0, and 52.6 ± 21.5, respectively, and those in bisphosphonate and denosumab were 54.1 ± 20.6 and 57.5 ± 25.0, respectively. The MCI and degree of deformation in patients with osteoporosis were not significant differences for age and bone‐modifying agents. Conclusion This study suggests that the CAD using PanoSCOPE can perform a quantitative analysis of mandibular cortical morphology in patients with osteoporosis.