Abstract:

Objective  The study aims to analyze patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Methods  Twelve patients treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Zhejiang University from May 2013 to September 2015 were included. Patients’ basic situation, medication, clinical symptoms, therapies, and effects were obtained and analyzed. Results  The treatment of nine patients focused on the mandible, whereas that of three patients was on the maxilla. The clinical symptoms appeared from 10 to 80 months, with an average of about (28.00±21.42) months. Nine patients had tooth extraction history. After operation (nine patients), eight were treated, one had stable in bone exposure and three patients received conservative treatment. Conclusion  Intravenous infusion of bisphosphonates can induce BRONJ. The mandible is commonly involved and tooth extraction is a big inducement. Treatments nowadays seek to relieve clinical symptoms, but prevention is more important.

Key words: bisphosphonate, jaws, osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis