BISPHOSPHONATE INDUCED OSTEONECROSIS OFTHE JAWS

Abstract

Bisphosphonate (BP) is a group of drugs used to treat osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, skeletal metastasis cancer. BP’s mechanism of action is to reduce bone resorption by inhibiting the osteoclasts activity. Therefore, the indication of BP is increasingly widespread and becomes the first class of drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis. At Frienship Hospital, over the past five years, we have encountered 12 cases of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) at various stages. The key message we wish to convey in this report is to kindly encourage close collaboration between internal medicine specialists and oral maxillofacial surgeons during bisphosphonate therapy, in order to minimize the risk of BRONJ complications for patients.