The Impact of Lower Serum Vitamin D Levels on Mandibular Bone in Individuals With Periodontitis: Cross‐Sectional Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT Objectives This study evaluated the association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and mandibular bone condition in adult individuals with periodontitis. Methods Panoramic radiographs were obtained from 48 adult volunteers, who were categorized as having lower or higher vitamin D levels. Fractal dimensions (FD), Mental Index (MI), Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI) and Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI) were evaluated using panoramic radiographs. Behavioural and sociodemographic data, as well as periodontal probing, were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using the following tests: Student’s t , the Mann–Whitney U and the chi‐square or Fisher’s exact, as appropriate. A p ‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Individuals with lower vitamin D levels showed a lower mean FD in the alveolar crest (0.63 ± 0.53), in contrast to subjects with higher vitamin D levels (0.68 ± 0.06, p = 0.01). The group with lower vitamin D levels had a reduced PMI (0.37 ± 0.05), compared to subjects with higher vitamin D levels (0.44 ± 0.06; p < 0.001). FD (apical region between premolars, mandibular condyle and mandibular angle), MI and MCI did not show significant differences between the groups ( p ≥ 0.13). Conclusions Lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with more porous trabeculae in the alveolar crest and reduced mandibular cortical thickness.