New review: bisphosphonate therapy and osteonecrosis of the jaw
June 8th, 2009 Posted in hormone therapyMany doctors advise cancer patients to use bisphosphonate therapy to prevent bone loss and other bone-related adverse events associated with long-term hormonal therapy. A disorder now known as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) was initially associated with bisphosphonate therapy in 2003-04 and there has been extensive research on this relationship since that date.
New research revealed that the risk of BRONJ is significantly higher among patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates (e.g., zoledronate and pamidronate) than among patients treated with oral bisphosphonates (e.g., risedronate and alendronate).
Risk appears to increase with duration of bisphosphonate therapy an l ocal dental risk factors include (but are not limited to) tooth extractions, dental implant surgery, and other forms of dental surgery.
According to study authors, patients who are prescribed intravenous bisphosphonate therapy should, if possible, undergo an appropriate dental examination and relevant treatment prior to the initiation of intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. Those patients must understand that a good oral hygiene and dental care is of paramount importance in maintenance of dental health and prevention of dental surgery.