Review Article Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Review of the Literature

Copyright © 2014 Eder Alberto Sigua-Rodriguez et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis andmalignant bonemetastasis. BPs showhigh binding capacity to the bone matrix, especially in sites of active bone metabolism. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research defines BRONJ as “an area of exposed bone in themaxillofacial region that has not healed within 8 weeks after identification by a healthcare provider in a patient who is receiving or has been exposed to a bisphosphonate and has not had radiation therapy to the craniofacial region. ” Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) can adversely affect quality of life, as it may produce significant morbidity.TheAmerican Association of Oral andMaxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) considers as vitally important that information on BRONJ be disseminated to other dental andmedical specialties.The purpose of this work is to offer a perspective on how dentists shouldmanage patients on BPs, to show the benefits of accurately diagnosing BRONJ, and to present diagnostic aids and treatments strategies for the condition. 1