Postmenopausal tooth loss. Contributions to edentulism by osteoporosis and cigarette smoking

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Abstract
A total of 208 white women, aged 60-69 yr, had acquired 218 upper or lower full dentures. Each women''s smoking habits and current osteoporosis severity (percent cortical area [PCA] at metacarpal midshaft) were compared with the age at which she had acquired each full denture. Among osteoporotic women (PCA < 70%) who still had their natural teeth at age 50 yr, 44% had required a new full denture before age 60 compared with 15% of nonosteoporotic women (PCA > 80). Different denture requirements between these groups had not existed before age 50 but had continued after age 60. Fifty-two percent of smokers, 26% of nonsmokers and only 8% of nonosteoporotic nonsmokers had required dentures since age 50. These observations strongly suggest that middle-aged women may be more likely to retain their teeth if they avoid smoking and undertake a program effective in preventing progression of osteoporosis.