Author(s)

Coha Bozena, Holik Hrvoje, Knezevic-Pravecek Marijana

.

Purpose: to update recommendations for the prevention and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients on bisphophonate therapy. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare and serious complication of bisphosphonate therapy. Also, it is one of the important and growing clinical public health issues, because biphosphonates are now more commonly used than before. Bisphophonates are primarly used in the treat-ment of cancer-related conditions such as bone metastases, hypercalcemia, lytic skeletal lesions. More recently, bisphophonate has been approved for the management of osteoporosis. The etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown, however, two important risk factors have been identified, i.e. the potency and length of bisphos- phonate use, and recent dental intervention. Recommendations: prior to the introduction of bisphosphonate therapy, all patients should undergo complete dental examination, any active oral cavity infec-tion should be treated and the potential sites of new infection removed. During bisphosphonate therapy, patients should strictly comply with oral hygiene and avoid any invasive procedure of the oral cavity.

Bisphosphonates; Osteonecrosis; Jaw

Bozena, C. , Hrvoje, H. and Marijana, K. (2011) Prevention and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Health, 3, 557-559. doi: 10.4236/health.2011.39095.