Periodontal status in oncologic patients with MRONJ: a case control study

This paper evaluates the periodontal status of MRONJ patients and compare it with that of healthy controls. A prospective case-control study was undertaken on 20 patients treated with i.v. bisphosphonates for bone metastases (10 with clinical MRONJ, and 10 with no signs of jaws disease). Thirteen of the 20 patients were women and 7 men, with an average age of 68 years. Among MRONJ patients, 5 were affected by multiple myeloma, 3 by breast cancer and 2 by prostate cancer. Intravenous infusions of 4 mg zoledronate were administered every 3 weeks to 4 weeks in all patients analysed. In this study, patients with MRONJ had poorer oral hygiene, showed more complications of caries, and had worse periodontal status if compared with those without MRONJ. The preliminary results showed that periodontal status is worse in MRONJ patients if compared with controls. Oncologic patients treated with bisphosphonates should be offered preventive care to reduce dental plaque, calculus, dental caries, and periodontal disease to prevent the onset of jaws necrosis.