|
Bisphosphonates is a group of inorganic pyrophosphates analogues that suppress bone resorption by inducing
osteoclast inactivation, being frequently used for management of diseases affecting bone metabolism, bone metastases
and bone tumors. However, since 2003 many cases describing the presence of necrotic bone exposures
in the jaws have been described in patients receiving these drugs, what represent a significant complication of
bisphosphonates treatment. The overall incidence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws is low, ranging
from 0.7% to 12%, mainly observed in those patients receiving intravenously treatment. Osteonecrosis of the
jaws associated to oral bisphosphonate, particularly alendronate, has also been reported by a number of authors.
Considering that alendronate is one of the most used drugs worldwide, specially for treatment of osteoporosis, a
better understanding of osteonecrosis of the jaws related to its use and how to manage these patients is extremely
important. Therefore, in the current manuscript the authors aim to review the most important topics related to this
pathological presentation.
|