• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2019

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a well-known pathological condition in oncology derived from the use of bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab. Many molecular and immunological targets have been introduced for daily use in cancer treatment in recent years; consequently, new cases of ONJ have been reported in association with these drugs, especially if administered with BPs and denosumab. When the drugs are administered alone, ONJ is rarely seen. The objective of our study was to analyze the recent literature relative to the association of ONJ with these new drugs highlighting the pathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects. The close collaboration between maxillofacial surgeon, oncologist, dentist, and dental hygienist remains the most important aspect for the prevention, prompt recognition, and treatment of this pathology.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.456-462
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• 2007

Since the first description of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in 2002, the number of report on the disease has rapidly been increasing. Now, BRONJ is considered as a new entity, which is emerging problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Bisphosphonates (BPs) can be categorized into 2 groups: nitrogen-containing and non-nitrogen containing, and nitrogen-containing BPs are considered to have more efficacy and toxicity possibly. It is unusual for osteonecrosis to occur in the maxilla but BRONJ is found in both the mandible and the maxilla, which is one of the special features of BRONJ compared with common infectious osteomyelitis of the jaws. Intravenous BPs are usually more likely to cause BRONJ than oral BPs which are frequently prescribed for osteoporosis and osteopenia. Nonetheless, the use of intravenous BPs cannot be prevented because of systemic condition of the patients. Although it is rare that oral BPs cause BRONJ in osteoporosis/osteopenia patients, we should be aware of BRONJ since the population of the patients is exceedingly increasing with the prolonging of life expectancy. So, we'd like to enlighten upon the problems and solutions of BRONJ.

• 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.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.174-177
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• 2013

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a disease characterized by jaw necrosis and delayed wound healing in patients who had received bisphosphonates. Buccal fat pad (BFP) can be used as a pedicled flap in the posterior region of the oral cavity. BFP pedicle flap needs simple surgical technique and it shows less donor site morbidity and aesthetic problem than other vascularized flap. BFP pedicled flap was fed by 3 arteries-facial, internal maxillary, and transverse facial artery. Osteomyelitis was generally related with poor blood supply. Thus, rich blood supply of BFP pedicle flap can have a potential advantage to BRONJ patients. In this case report, we presented 3 BRONJ patients treated by BFP pedicle flap after sequestrectomy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.272-275
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• 2017

Bisphosphonates are drugs used to treat osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, including osteoporosis, Paget disease, multiple myeloma, cancer-related osteolysis, and malignant hypercalcemia. The use of these drugs has increased in recent years as have their complications, especially bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), which more frequently affects the mandible. Here we report a case of BRONJ with a particularly unfavorable course due to cervical inflammation that developed into necrotizing fasciitis, followed by multiorgan involvement leading to septic shock and death.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2013

Objectives: Bisphosphonates (BP) are widely used in medicine for inhibiting bone resorption; however bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a major side effect of BP. To date, there have been no specific reports on the incidence of BRONJ among Koreans. This study investigated the preliminary results from a nationwide survey of BRONJ in the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) at individual training hospitals. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 OMFS departments (10 from dental schools, 4 from medical schools, and 1 from a dental hospital) participated in a multi-centric survey. This study assessed every BRONJ case diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2010. The patient age and BP type were evaluated. Results: A total of 254 BRONJ cases were collected. The majority of BRONJ cases were associated with oral BP therapy, while 21.8% of the cases were associated with intravenous administration. Alendronate was the drug most frequently related to BRONJ (59.2% of cases), followed by risedronate (14.3%) and zolendronate (17.0%). The average age of BRONJ patients was $70.0{\pm}10.1$ years, with a range of 38-88 years of age. With the number of BP patients in Korea reported to be around 600,000 in 2008, the estimated incidence of BRONJ is at least 0.04% or 1 per 2,300 BP patients. Conclusion: The results suggest that the estimated incidence of BRONJ in Korea is higher than the incidence of other countries. Future prospective studies should be carried out to investigate the exact epidemiological characteristics of BRONJ in Korea.

• 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.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.46 no.4
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• pp.266-274
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• 2020

Objectives: Melatonin induces human stem cells, converts pre-osteoblasts to mature osteoblasts, and reduces the duration of this transition. However, melatonin itself prevents activation of osteoclasts. Here, we evaluate the role of melatonin in prevention of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-interventional study, 30 rats were evaluated in 3 groups. The first and second groups received saline and zoledronic acid, respectively, for 4 weeks and the third group received 4 weeks of zoledronic acid and 3 weeks of melatonin simultaneously. First-right-maxillary-molar extraction was performed for all animals, which were sacrificed after 4 weeks of recovery. The extraction sockets were examined histologically for the presence of osteonecrosis, number of osteoclasts and fibroblasts, severity of inflammation, and vascularization. Data were analyzed by chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact statistical tests (α=0.05). Results: Osteonecrosis was observed in 20%, 90%, and 70% of the first, second and third groups, respectively (P=0.008). The lowest number of osteoclasts and fibroblasts was seen in the third group. Conclusion: Melatonin may effectively prevent some undesirable side effects of bisphosphonates. However, further studies are required to confirm the results of this study.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.42.1-42.16
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• 2019

Antiresorptive drugs (ARDs), such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, that prevent bone resorption are widely used in patients with osteoporosis or with cancer that has metastasized to the bones. Although osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a well-documented complication of ARD use, the benefits ARDs outweigh the complication. Thus, research has focused on finding ways to prevent or reduce the risk of developing ONJ. Dentists, as part of a multi-professional team, have a critical role in preventing ONJ. However, many dentists tend to hesitate to provide dental care to patients with ONJ, or tend to think that it is a problem to be dealt with by oral surgeons. This review gives an overview of ARD-related ONJ and provides the guidelines for dental care in patients taking ARDs to lower the risk of developing ONJ.