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. 2025 Feb 26;17(2):e79731.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.79731. eCollection 2025 Feb.

Difference in Bone Density in Young Women With Normal Occlusion and Malocclusion

Haruka Hatori  1 , Nobuyuki Udagawa  2 , Nobuo Yoshinari  3 , Kazuhiro Uenishi  4 , Noriyuki Sugino  5 , Akira Taguchi  5
Affiliations

Difference in Bone Density in Young Women With Normal Occlusion and Malocclusion

Haruka Hatori et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Acquisition of higher peak bone mass in young women may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Many factors, including nutritional intake, influence peak bone mass. The masticatory ability associated with nutritional intake may be lower in young women with malocclusion than in those with normal occlusion. We investigated the difference in bone mineral density (BMD) and nutritional intake between younger women with normal occlusion and malocclusion. Methods This study involved 45 women (mean age, 20.8 years) with normal occlusion and 49 women (mean age, 21.3 years) with malocclusion. Calcaneal BMD was measured by quantitative ultrasound. All participants completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Differences in BMD, body mass index (BMI), and FFQ-obtained nutrient values between the two groups were analyzed with an independent t-test. Multiple regression analysis was also conducted to assess the association between BMD and nutrient values in both participants with normal occlusion and malocclusion. Results Participants with malocclusion tended to have lower BMD than those with normal occlusion (p = 0.10). The former had significantly higher vitamin A intake and lower sunlight exposure time than the latter. In the malocclusion group, participants with normal BMI had significantly higher BMD than those with both higher and lower BMI (p = 0.009 and p = 0.004, respectively). High vitamin B12 intake was also associated with higher BMD in this group (p = 0.031). Conclusions Malocclusion in young women influenced calcaneal BMD through nutritional intake, sunlight exposure, and BMI. Orthodontic treatment in young women with malocclusion may contribute to obtaining higher peak bone mass.

Keywords: bone density; eating; malocclusion; orthodontics; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Matsumoto Dental University Research Ethics Committee issued approval 0316. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: This study was partially funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI grants provided to A.T. (Grant Number: 21K09885 and 22K10208). Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Quantitative ultrasonography.
Ultrasound is transmitted and received through the opposing transducers (yellow arrows) (A), and the speed of sound (SOS) through the calcaneus is measured (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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