Incidence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in patients taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis treatment - a grossly underestimated risk?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to detect the incidence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in association with osteoporosis in 2009 in the rural district of Marburg-Biedenkopf, Germany. In addition, the therapeutic regimen of dentists in this area was compared to the treatment guidelines of established international associations. METHODOLOGY: A postal survey including 129 dental offices within the named investigation area was conducted. Additionally, the dentists were asked to contribute to this study during a course of retraining. Ultimately, 107 colleagues participated in this study. RESULTS: A total of 37 BRONJ cases were revealed, 37.4 % of those were linked to malignant diseases, 62.6 % to osteoporosis. Noticeably, 30.1 % of the BRONJ cases linked to osteoporosis were connected with intravenous application. In total, 62.6 % of all cases were associated with intravenous and 37.4 % with oral application. Considering the estimated number of 1.014 patients using bisphosphonates for osteoporosis treatment in Marburg-Biedenkopf in 2009, the specific incidence of BRONJ could be narrowed down to about 2.27 %. In proportion to the increasing risk potential of the three patient groups, participants conducted fewer surgical interventions themselves but tended to refer patients to colleagues. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the incidence of BRONJ in association with osteoporosis as being grossly underrated so far, especially in connection with intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. The therapeutic regimen of the dentists who participated correlated with the established guidelines. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The interface between dentistry and medicine may profit from our study's results which will help to improve interdisciplinary communication. With regard to this, we wish to contribute to an informative discussion since a main focus was to ensure colleagues in their decision making, especially in case of complications after elective dentoalveolar surgery-like implantations. Besides medical there are also economic and political aspects, i.e. the financial responsibility in case of unexpected or inevitable complications, possibly leading to BRONJ, that may become part of future discussions based on this study.

Bone augmentation in dental implantology using press-fit bone cylinders and twin-principle diamond hollow drills: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Bone transplants are mostly prepared with cutting drills, chisels, and rasps. These techniques are difficult for unexperienced surgeons, and the implant interface is less precise due to unstandardized preparation. Cylindrical bone transplants are a known alternative. Current techniques include fixation methods with osteosynthesis screws or the dental implant. PURPOSE: A new bone cylinder transplant technique is presented using a twin-drill principle resulting in a customized pressfit of the transplant without fixation devices and combining this with the superior grinding properties of a diamond coating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New cylindrical diamond hollow drills are used for customized press fit bone transplants in a case series of five patients for socket reconstruction in the front and molar region of maxilla and mandibula with and without simultaneous implant placement. RESULTS: The technical approach was successful without intra or postoperative complications during the acute healing phase. CONCLUSION: The customized press fit completes a technological trias of bone cylinder transplant techniques adding to the assisted press fit with either osteosynthesis screws or the dental implant itself.

3D analysis of condylar position after sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible in mono- and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery - a methodology study in 18 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzes the condylar position with intercondylar distance and angle after sagittal split osteotomy in mono- and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery applying cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 18 patients, ten males (mean age 28 years) and eight females (mean age 26 years) undergoing the described surgery between 2008 and 2009 were analyzed. CBCT scans were performed with the KaVo 3DeXam (KaVo, Biberach/ Riß, Germany) (identical with the iCAT scan device) before and after surgery. The exported DICOM data were analyzed with ImageJ morphometry software. Patients were also asked about TMJ problems. The two-tailed t test was used and significance was set at a p value less than p = 0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the pre- and postoperative distances between condylar centers (mean difference: 1 mm) (p = 0.69) and intercondylar angle (mean difference: 6.6°) (p = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: CBCT is a novel imaging technique appropriate for detailed and three-dimensional analysis of the condylar position in orthognathic surgery. Available freeware analysis software can be applied for metrical measurements. Our cases showed no significant changes of condylar position immediately after surgery without intraoperative condylar fixation.