A radiographic investigation into bone resorption of mandibular alveolar bone in elderly edentulous adults

Clinical experience suggests that severe alveolar bone resorption can limit the success of complete denture wearing. The loss of bone mineral with age occurs throughout the skeleton, which contributes to the high incidence of bone fractures later in life. Women are more commonly affected by some of these fractures. The decline in serum oestrogen concentration following the menopause has been implicated in the aetiology of these fractures. W e have found that age is important in determining the bone resorption observed in females but not in males. © 1989.