BISPHOSPHONATE-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAWS: ETIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA, TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES

Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphates used for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with malignancies and bone metastasis and for the treatment of multiple myeloma, bone resorption in the case of metastatic malignant diseases, and in the treatment of osteoporosis. even though their application has shown to be effective in reducing pain and minimizing the risk of skeletalrelated events, their administration may also bring adverse events such as osteonecrosis of the jaws. since the end of 2003, several reports have been published on jaw osteonecrosis possibly being associated with the administration of bisphosphonates. the aim of the present review was to analyze the etiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors, radiologic features and different treatment strategies of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws.