A new device for measuring density of jaw bones

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to develop a lightweight, simple device to evaluate alveolar process bone density using normal intraoral and extraoral imaging procedures. METHODS: A simple lightweight device was constructed using barium sulfate as the major radiopaque component. The 5 x 32 x 12 mm(3) resin block has eight segments with known densities ranging from 1.304 (g/cm(3)) to 1.982 (g/cm(3)). The device was integrated into an XCP unit for standard intraoral radiographs and placed between the jaws for computer aided tomographic imaging. The relationship between the device segment densities and the optical densities of the exposed film was plotted. RESULTS: A linear inverse relationship was found between the device segment densities and optical densities when segment densities were between 1.304 (g/cm(3)) to 1.882 (g/cm(3)). However, the relationship was non-linear for segment densities above 1.882 (g/cm(3)). CONCLUSIONS: Normal human bone density is 1.85 (g/cm(3)), and this densitometer is useful for determination of material densities from 1.304 (g/cm(3)) to 1.882 (g/cm(3)). The device may be useful for precise bone density assessment.