Ultrasound measurement of mandibular arterial blood supply: Techniques for defining ischemia in the pathogenesis of alveolar ridge atrophy and tooth loss in the elderly?

Ultrasound Doppler techniques used for measuring peripheral arterial flow can be adapted to quantify mandible alveolar ridge perfusion. This provides means to evaluate the role of arterial obstruction in mandible alveolar ridge atrophy and tooth loss in the elderly. The mental artery is the best site for this purpose. Preliminary data suggest an age-related reduction in mental artery flow.