Rochester, N.Y. — Bone mineral density in the face changes with age and may affect facial rejuvenation procedures, according to a recent study.
Researchers with University of Rochester Medical Center compared changes in facial skeleton bone mineral density with that of the axial skeleton and explored the implications of these changes.
The researchers used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the facial bones and lumbar spine from 60 patients ranging from 20 to over 60 years old. They divided patients into three age groups: young, ages 20-40; middle, ages 41-60; and old, ages 61 and older. The researchers compared bone mineral density measurements for the lumbar spine, maxilla, and the left and right mandibular ramus.
The lumbar spine bone mineral density decreased significantly for both men and women between the middle and old age groups. Investigators also noted a significant decrease in the maxilla and mandible bone mineral density for both sexes between the young and middle age groups.
“Our results suggest that the (bone mineral density) of the face changes with age, similar to the axial skeleton,” the authors concluded. “This change in (bone mineral density) may contribute to the appearance of the aging face and potentially affect facial rejuvenation procedures.”
The study was published online Sept. 24 in Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
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