Osteoporosis: a risk factor for dental implants and in the prognosis of periodontal therapy.

Two patients were referred to the Graduate Periodontal Clinic, one for placement of dental implants, the other for treatment of advanced periodontal disease. It was determined from an analysis of the Hounsfield scales of bone density from a CT scan that the patient requesting dental implants had severe osteoporotic changes and was, therefore, not a good candidate for the procedure. The second patient's medical history revealed multiple fractures occurring over the years that suggested the presence of osteoporosis. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by referral of the patient to an osteoporosis clinic.