| Abstrakt: |
Bisphosphonates are widely used to prevent bone loss and skeletal damage in patients with osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and various malignancies with skeletal metastases. Recently, however, physicians, dentists, and oral surgeons have noted that use of bisphosphonates increases the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This serious complication is associated with poor healing, spontaneous intraoral ulceration, and necrosis of the bone in the oral and maxillofacial regions. This article presents three case reports of patients with ONJ who were seen at our institution and reviews the history, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for this important and emerging clinical entity. It also highlights the importance of paying close attention to the dental health of cancer patients using bisphosphonates and provides recommendations for managing patients on bisphosphonate therapy who require dental procedures. |
