Age-Related Regional Variations in Maxillofacial Bone Density Using Computed Tomography-Derived Hounsfield Units

computed tomography; Hounsfield units; maxillofacial bone density; ageing; dental implants.

Dr. Spurthi Raikote*
Postgraduate, Department of Oral Medicine and
Radiology, Government Dental College and
Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh,
India. spurthiraikote555@gmail.com

Dr Narjish Rahman Barbhuiya
Postgraduate, Department of Oral Medicine and
Radiology, Government Dental College and
Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh,
India. drnarjishrb@gmail.com

Dr. Himabindu
Postgraduate, Department of Oral Medicine and
Radiology, Government Dental College and
Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh,
India. drshimabindu@gmail.com

Dr Sivan Sathish
Professor and HOD, Department of Oral
Medicine and Radiology, Teerthanker
Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre,
Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad,
Uttar Pradesh, India. drsivan.dental@tmu.ac.in

Dr Chandrasekhar M Reddy
Professor and HOD, Department of Oral
Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental
College and Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, Andhra
Pradesh, India. oralmedicine2006@gmail.com

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Spurthi
Postgraduate, Department of Oral Medicine and
Radiology, Government Dental College and
Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh,India
Email: spurthiraikote555@gmail.com

Received:13-06-2026
Revised: 20-07-2026
Accepted: 25-07-2026
Published: 01-08-2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34 (7s), 410–420

Age-Related Regional Variations in Maxillofacial Bone Density Using Computed Tomography-Derived Hounsfield Units

Assessment of maxillofacial bone density is essential for implant placement, orthodontic temporary anchorage device (TAD) stability, and reconstructive surgery. However, evidence regarding age-related regional variations remains limited. Therefore, this study evaluated age-related changes in maxillofacial bone density using computed tomography (CT)derived Hounsfield Units (HU) and their clinical implications.

A prospective cross-sectional study included 80 healthy participants equally distributed into four age groups (10–20, 21– 40, 41–60, and >60 years) with equal sex representation. HU values were measured from ten standardized maxillofacial regions on multidetector CT images. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc test, and independentsamples t-test to compare HU values between sexes (p < 0.05). Results: Bone density differed significantly among age groups across all regions (p < 0.001). Peak HU values occurred in the 21–40-year group and declined progressively with age. The posterior maxilla showed the greatest reduction (Mean HU decrease from 682.2±67.6 to 254.0±77.4), whereas the pterygomaxillary junction, pterygoid process, and zygomatic bone (Mean HU decrease from 1194.5±75.3 to 853.5±84.1) retained comparatively higher HU values.

Maxillofacial bone density declines with age in a region-specific manner. Preservation of bone density within the pterygomaxillary junction, pterygoid process, and zygomatic bone supports their use as favorable anchorage sites for implantology, orthodontic TAD placement, and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.

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