Comparative Evaluation of DMF Scores in Patients Using Bisphosphonates: A Retrospective Study

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between bisphosphonate use and the prevalence of dental caries in comparison with systemically healthy controls. Material and Methods This retrospective study included 100 patients: 50 were on bisphosphonate medication and 50 were healthy controls who were matched for age and gender. Between 2013 and 2023, each participant was recorded in the database of Akdeniz University's Faculty of Dentistry. Dental health markers, such as the number of undamaged teeth, restorations, and the prevalence of caries, were evaluated using panoramic radiography. The analysis did not include third molars. Following established standards, two skilled dentists independently assessed the radiographs. Patients between the ages of 18 and 70 were included in the inclusion criteria, however those with major radiographic artifacts, crowns, implants, or tooth loss were excluded. The end measures included the DMF index, the number of caries-affected teeth, the number of teeth that were treated, and the number of teeth that were fully intact. To use the independent samples t-test for statistical analysis, these parameters were compared between the bisphosphonate and control groups (P < 0.05). Results There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.26), with the mean DMF index for healthy people being 8.42 and for bisphosphonate users being 9.32. The number of restored teeth (3.0 vs. 2.4, respectively; p = 0.08), carious teeth (2.08 vs. 2.34, respectively; p = 0.52), and sound teeth (20.12 vs. 20.32, respectively; p = 0.59) did not differ significantly either. Conclusion The DMF index, the number of sound teeth, restored teeth, and carious teeth did not differ statistically significantly between bisphosphonate users and healthy people. The DMF index did not significantly rise among bisphosphonate users. It is advised that bigger sample sizes be used in future research to validate these results.