Correlation between panoramic mandibular index and the severity of periodontitis

Objectives To compare the mandibular indices differences between chronic periodontitis,aggressive periodontitis and non-periodontitis subjects by digital panoramic tomograms in order to discuss the possible correlation between panoramic mandibular index( PMI) and the severity of periodontitis.Methods Standard digital panoramic tomograms of sixty chronic periodontitis subjects,aggressive periodontitis subjects and non-periodontitis subjects were taken.Height,cortical width( CW) and panoramic mandibular index of alveolar bone were measured on the digital panoramic tomograms.SPSS 13.0 was used for statistics analyses.Results The height of alveolar bone value( H) were( 15.65 ± 2.63) mm( normal group),0.31 ± 0.08( chronic periodontitis patients),0.28 ± 0.09( aggressive periodontitis patients) respectively,The PMI value were 0.31 ± 0.08( normal group),0.30 ± 0.05( chronic priodontitis patients),and 0.28 ± 0.09( aggressive periodontitis patients) respectively,with a significant difference( P = 0.000).The PMI value of aggressive periodontitis patients was significantly decreased compared to that chronic periodontitis( P = 0.014).Conclusion Compared with the non-periodontitis subjects,the chronic periodontitis subjects and aggressive periodontitis have alveolar bone height loss and PMI decreased significantly.The bone mineral density of aggressive periodontitis has reduced as well.