Recent recommendations on bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of the importance of osteonecrosis of the jaw developing in patients taking bisphosphonates. A recent working party of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research has developed recommendations on the prevention and treatment of this condition which dentists will find useful.

Clinical relevance: As bisphosphonates are now being used widely in the treatment of several conditions including osteoporosis, Paget's disease and metastatic malignancy, dentists should be able to recognize osteonecrosis of the jaw and how it is managed.