Klemetti et al classified radiographs of the mandible based on the appearance of the inferior cortex. This can help identify a patient with osteoporosis. The authors are from the University of Kuopio in Finland.
Examination: panoramic X-ray of the mandible
Area evaluated: inferior cortex, both sides distal to mental foramen
Appearance
Class
endosteal margin even and sharp on both sides (superior and inferior)
C1
semilunar defects and/or thin endosteal cortical residues (1 to 3 layers) on one or both sides
C2
heavy endosteal cortical residues and clearly porous
