Osteonecrosis of the Jaw and Antiresorptive Agents in Benign and Malignant Diseases: A Critical Review Organized by the ECTS.

CONTEXT: Antiresorptive therapy significantly reduces fracture risk in patients with benign bone disease and skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases (BM). Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare but severe condition manifested as necrotic bone lesion or lesions of the jaws. ONJ has been linked to the use of potent antiresorptive agents, termed medication-related ONJ (MRONJ). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the differences various aspects of MRONJ among distinct patient categories and provide recommendations on how to mitigate the risk and optimally manage MRONJ in each of them. METHODS: A working group of the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) and 2 experts performed an updated detailed review of existing literature on MRONJ incidence, characteristics, and treatment applied in bone diseases with variable severity of skeletal insult, ranging from osteoporosis to prevention of cancer treatment-induced bone loss and SREs in cancer patients with BM. RESULTS: The risk for MRONJ is much higher in patients with advanced malignancies compared to those with benign bone diseases because of the higher doses and more frequent administration of antiresorptive agents in individuals with compromised general health, along with coadministration of other medications that predispose to MRONJ. The overall risk for MRONJ is considerably lower than the benefits in all categories of patients. CONCLUSION: The risk for MRONJ largely depends on the underlying bone disease and the relevant antiresorptive regimen applied. Physicians and dentists should keep in mind that the benefits of antiresorptive therapy far outweigh the risk for MRONJ development.

Osteonecrosis of the jaws due to bisphosphonate use. A review of 60 cases and treatment proposals.

PURPOSE: Bisphosphonates are compounds used in the treatment of various metabolic and malignant bone diseases. In the last two and a half years, there has been a striking increased referral of patients with exposed necrotic jawbone, mostly after several teeth extractions. The only clinical feature common in all patients was the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of bone diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicentric study of 60 patients with necrotic bone lesions of the jaws of various extent from July 2003 to October 2005. The necrotic bone involved the maxilla (37%), the mandible (50%), or both (13%). The bisphosphonate administered was mostly zoledronate. The management of the patients included cessation of bisphosphonate therapy for more than 6 months, long-term antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen administration in some cases, and various surgical restorative procedures. RESULTS: The implementation of the treatment protocol in 7 patients so far lead to high cure rates, whereas surgical restoration of the defect without previous cessation of bisphosphonate therapy had discouraging results. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and dentists should have in mind this new complication of bisphosphonate administration to identify and treat osteonecrosis of the jaws.