International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 66– No.17, March 2013 36 Orthopantogram based Evaluation of Osteoporosis by Studying Jaw Bone Changes Shalaka S. Abhyankar Cummins College of Engineering for Women, India Revati Shriram Cummins College of Engineering for Women, India ABSTRACT Osteoporosis is characterized by compromised bone strength and is considered to be a silent disease that entails significant social and economic burdens. This disease causes reduction in weight and bone fractures. Dual X-ray Absoptiometry i.e. DXA is the commonly used technique to determine Bone Mineral Density. The high cost and limited availability of DXA necessitates looking for alternative diagnostic technique. Orthopantogram can be use for prediction of Osteoporosis. The person suffering with the osteoporosis has mandible with low mineral content. So Bone Mineral Density ( BMD ) of the mandible bone is related with osteoporosis that is low skeletal BMD. To predict osteoporosis the cortical width of the lower border of the mandible is to be measure. In this paper preprocessing work for measurement of cortical width for osteoporosis determination is discuss. Then the person can be classified as having normal bone mineral density, osteoporosis or osteopenia . Keywords Osteoporosis, Bone Mineral Density, Osteopenia, Orthopantogram 1. INTRODUCTION Osteoporosis is defined as a systemic skeletal disease characterized by decrease bone mass and strength along with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fracture. Osteo means bone, porosis means full of holes i.e. osteoporosis means bones that are full of holes. Women tend to lose BMD more rapidly than men especially after the menopause. As a result osteoporosis is more common among women than men. Normally, body recycles old bone components to make new ones, and it also deposits other minerals and calcium into your bone to make them dense and hard. But your bones stop growing and gradually lose bone density after you turn 35. This means that the small holes in them get larger while the hard substance gets thinner. So your bones become more weaker, porous and susceptible to fractures and injury [1,2]. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS There are different techniques used to measure bone mineral density. Four techniques are discussed in this section are as follows: 2.1 Quantitative Ultrasonography Quantitative Ultrasonography measures the bone density of the trabecular bone at the heel. It has the advantage of being radiation-free, noninvasive, mobile and friendly to both user and patient, making it ideal for use in children. However, despite its advantages, this test is not yet a substitute for DXA for diagnosing and classifying osteoporosis nor for monitoring therapy. The precision of QUS is generally reported to be poorer than that of DXA.[4,5] 2.2 Quantitative Computed Tomography Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is most commonly applied to 2D slices in the lumbar spine to measure trabecular bone mineral density (BMD; mg/cm3). QCT has some important advantages compared with DXA because it provides a three-dimensional assessment of the structural and geometric properties of the examined bone, and a separation of cortical and trabecular bone. A major disadvantage is the high-radiation dose (50–100 μSv), making it unsuitable for use in the pediatric population [6]. 2.3 Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, previously DEXA) is Gold Standard test to determine bone mineral density. It measures bone mineral density at hip and spine. It is considered the most accurate test for bone density. DXA method can predict changes after about a 1% change in BMD while standard x-rays show changes in BMD after about 40- 45% of bone loss. The main disadvantage of this method is equipment is high cost, and often requires trained personnel to operate. [7, 8]. 2.4 Dental Radiographs Dental radiographs always depict some changes in mandible or maxillary bone and hence offer an opportunity for a screening tool for osteoporosis. There are different types of dental radiographs, bitewing, priapical and panoramic radiographs.  Bitewing X-ray- Bitewing x-ray are most common type of x-rays , taken at routine check-ups.  Periapical x-ray- It is specific type of x-rays and shows entire tooth, including root, crown and bone.  Panoramic x-ray- It gives broad coverage of facial bone. It shows not only teeth also bone structure beneath the teeth For the measurement of osteoporosis, dental panoramic radiographs are used. Panoramic x-rays makes a complete circle of the head from one ear to the other to produce two – dimensional representation of all the teeth.