• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.203-217
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• 2014

Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of many medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, Paget's disease, etc. However, side effect has been documented in the published data during the past years, osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients receiving long-term bisphosphonate therapy. Although pathogenesis of BRONJ(bisphophonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw) is not yet fully understood, it is currently known to be a disease associated with suppressed bone turnover by bisphopbonate. Recent literature has indicated a similar association with nonbisphosphonate drugs used in cancer therapy including monoclonal antibodies denosumab and bevacizumab and multikinase inhibitor sunitinib. Accordingly, many studies have been carried out on the biochemical markers examination to assess the risk for BRONJ. The treatment of BRONI is reported with a review of the relevant literature. However, there is still a controversial discussion about the adequate treatment. It is necessary to accumulate further studies in order to establish more useful biochemical markers and effective treatment for BRONJ.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 2016

Although pathophysiology, incidence, and factors associated with the development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and management strategies for patients treated with bisphosphonates or patients with BRONJ are well-established, few guidelines or recommendations are available for patients with a history of successfully healed BRONJ. We present a case of successful dental implant treatment after healing of BRONJ in the same region of the jaw, and speculate that implant placement is possible after healing of BRONJ surgery in select cases.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.550-554
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• 2008

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of agent used to treat patient with osteoporosis or malignant bone metastases. BPs can be categorized into 2 groups: nitrogen-containing and non-nitrogen containing. Nitrogen-containing BPs are considered to have more toxicity. Despite their clinical benefits, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw(BRONJ) is a significant complication to patients receveing these drugs. Since the first description of BRONJ in 2003 by Marx, the number of reports on BRONJ has been rapidly increasing. BRONJ is considered as an emerging problem in oral & maxillofacial surgery. Generally, osteonecrosis in the maxilla is rare, however BRONJ is found both in the maxilla and the mandible. This is an important feature of BRONJ compared to common infectious osteomyelitis of the jaw. Growing number of case reports, suggest that bisphosphonate therapy may cause exposed, necrotic bone. BRONJ has simillar features compared to IORN (infected osteoradionecrosis). BRONJ has meaningful features established through the interestigation on histopathologic and radiographic findings. These features have an impact on treatment plan and prognosis. This presentation contemplates on features of histopathologic and radiographic findings in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.378-388
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• 2011

BRONJ(Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws) is not easy to be managed because it responds less predictably to established surgical treatment algorithms for osteomyelitis or osteoradionecrosis. The guidelines recommend that any kind of surgery should be delayed if possible. In the latest stage-dependent recommendations of the AAOMS in 2009, a conservative regime with antibiotics, antibacterial mouthe rinses and pain control in stages 0 to II. Some investigators have described the benefits of early osteotomy with primary wound closure. However, there are only a few publications with a standardized surgical concepts. In this reviews, various aspects of diagnosis and management of BRONJ will be discussed.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.372-377
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• 2011

Bisphosphonates are widely used in the management of osteoporosis patients. Many reports and clinical studies have published a relationship between necrotic bone lesions localized to the jaw and the use of chronic bisphosphonate therapy. This osteonecrosis named bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw(BRONJ). This article described the mechanism, chemical structure, indication, risk factor of the bisphosphonate.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.192-202
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• 2014

Bisphosphonate(BP) significantly influence the hone remodeling process. Increasing number of patients with osteoporosis and metastatic bone disease need high dose or long term bisphosphonate therapy. Major adverse effect is jaw bone necrosis and now the bisphosphonate-related necrosis of the jaw(BRONJ) is the major concern of dental practitioner. This study intended to perform the review of the current understandings concerning the pathophysiology of BRONJ. Even though pathophysiological mechanism of BRONJ is not clearly elucidated but now suggested as largely two different concepts; so-called "inside-out" or "outside-in" theory. Inside-out theory emphasize the osteonecrosis of the jaw is the initial major event and subsequent infection and inflammation is the second event that accompanies bone exposure and death of overlying mucosa. However, in "outside-in" theory, infection or inflammation initiated by traumatized oral epithelium is the major event of BRONJ. Both theory would be partially explain BRONJ. Recent research reveals the immune modulating effect and influence of microcrack accumulation by BP. These findings and those of others might explain the missing part of outside-in theory.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.353-360
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• 2009

Bisphosphonates are compounds widely used in the treatment of various metabolic and malignant bone disease. Recently, an association between bisphosphonate use and a rare dental condition termed 'osteonecrosis of the jaw(ONJ)' has been reported. Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw(BRONJ) is rare, but serious, side effect of bisphosphonate therapy in affected patients. It is characterized by poor wound healing and spontaneous intra-oral soft tissue break down, which lead to exposure of necrotic maxillary and mandibular bone. We reviewed 11 patients of BRONJ visited Ajou University Hospital Dental clinic from May 2007 to November 2008. The management of the patients included cessation of bisphosphonate therapy and various surgical restorative procedures and conservative care there after. Aggressive debridement is contraindicated. A new complication of bisphosphonate therapy administration, osteonecrosis of jaws, seems to be developing. The improved results after cessation of the medication should make clinicians reconsider the merits of the rampant use of bisphosphonates, while further investigation is needed to completely elucidate this complication.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.732-742
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to identify bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) awareness and experience level of patients by medical doctors who prescribes bisphosphonate being used, analyze dental examination referral reality and to utilize its result as basic education data for early diagnosis of BRONJ and its prevention. The study was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire distributed among a sample 192 residents and specialists. They belonged to family medicine, internal medicine and orthopedics of 6 tertiary medical centers located in Seoul. The survey consisted of 22 questions; general characteristics, bisphosphonate therapy, awareness of BRONJ, implementation level of dental examination referral. Among 192 medical doctorss, 78.1% (n=150) showed awareness of BRONJ. Only 8.9% (n=17) had correct response in all 5 BRONJ knowledge questions. Dental examination referral by medical doctors was implemented in below 30% of the total patients. At the time of bisphosphonate administration, specialist of oncology most highly recognized necessity of dental examination referral and it was represented in the order of endocrinology, rheumatology, family medicine, orthopedics specialists. As recognition of medical doctors for BRONJ and implementation level of dental referral were represented to be low, it is considered that enhancement of BRONJ recognition for medical doctors and development of high accessible education program for increasing implementation rate of dental examination referral would be required.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.508-514
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• 2010

Bisphosphonates are used effectively for many medical conditions, such as multiple myeloma, Paget's disease, osteoporosis, etc. However, recently, osteonecrosis of the jaw was observed in patients receiving long-term bisphosphonate therapy, including oral administration. This osteonecrosis is refractory, and complete recovery is not guaranteed despite a standard treatment protocol being established by many associations related to oral and maxillofacial surgery. The treatment outcome of oral bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ) is reported with a review of the relevant literature.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2016

Background: Intravenous bisphosphonates have been used in metastatic breast cancer patients to reduce pathologic bone fracture and bone pain. However, necrosis of the jaw has been reported in those who received intravenous bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is caused by dental extraction, dental implant surgery, and denture wearing; however, it occurs spontaneously. The purpose of this study was to report BRONJ in metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods: Consecutive 25 female patients were referred from the Department of Oncology from 2008 to 2014 for jaw bone discomfort. Staging of breast cancer, history of bisphosphonate infusion, etiology of BRONJ, and treatment results were reviewed. Average age of the patients was 55.4 years old (38-74). Twelve maxillae and 16 mandibles were involved. Conservative treatments such as irrigation, antibiotic medication, analgesics, and oral gargle were applied for all patients for the initial treatment. Patients who had sequestrum underwent debridement and primary closure. Results: The etiologies of BRONJ were dental extraction (19 cases), dental implant (2 cases), and endodontic treatment (1 case). However, three patients did not have any risk factors to cause BRONJ. Three patients died of progression of metastasis during follow-up periods. Surgical debridement was performed in 21 patients with success in 18 patients. Three patients showed recurred bone exposure and infection after operation. Conclusions: Prevention of the BRONJ is critical in metastatic breast cancer patients. Conservative treatment to reduce pain, discomfort, and infection is recommended for the initial therapy. However, if there is a sequestrum, surgical debridement and primary closure is the key to treat the BRONJ.