Evaluation of Cortical and Trabecular Bone Structure of the Mandible in Oral Contraceptive Users
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely prescribed hormonal agents that may influence bone homeostasis due to their estrogen content. Estrogen is essential for maintaining skeletal integrity, primarily by modulating osteoblast and osteoclast activity. This study aimed to evaluate whether combined oral contraceptive (COC) use affects mandibular bone microarchitecture using fractal dimension (FD) analysis and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) assessments. Methods: A case-control design was employed, analyzing digital panoramic radiographs from 290 women aged 18–50, including 145 COC users and 145 age-matched controls. FD values were determined from three mandibular sites: the condyle, angle, and interdental region. PMI values were also computed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were no statistically significant variations in FD values observed between the COC user group and the control group in the condylar (p=0.183), angular (p=0.603), or interdental (p=0.159) areas. Likewise, there was no significant difference in PMI values between the two groups (p=0.183). Additionally, neither FD nor PMI values were significantly associated with estimated duration of contraceptive use. Conclusion: Based on FD and PMI measurements, the study found no evidence that COC use leads to notable alterations in mandibular bone structure. These results suggest that estrogen-containing contraceptives may not adversely affect jawbone health in premenopausal women.
Source: Cumhuriyet Dental Journal
Authors: Melek Tassoker, Mediha Ertürk
Institution: Necmettin Erbakan University
Language: English
Subfield: Oral Surgery
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7141122327