Abstract
We studied bone mineral content in rat mandible in growing stage using microdensitometry and peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography. We found that many factors affected bone metabolism, and it is important to increase the peak bone mass as much as possible during childhood, which is an effective preventive strategy against osteoporosis. Recently, the focuse is on the relationship to jaw bone. Especially, mandibular bone acts a part in occlusion and mastication, which affect bone formation and remodeling. Mandible consists of two parts, which are different in their structure to each other. One is enchondral ossification in the mandibular condyle, the other is membranous ossification in the alveolar bone. In this review, we reported the effect of calcium, calcium regulator hormone, protein, hardness of food, zinc and flavonoid on the mandibular condyle and the alveolar bone in growing stage by observing in light microscope and ultrastratural findings. Calcium intake is necessary for bone formation. But, in Japan, calcium intake is insufficient. So, we suggested calcium supplement, 1 α-hydroxyvitamine D_3, zinc and flavonoid are effective on bone metabolism.
