BISPHOSPHONATE-RELATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW: A CASE SERIES OF 28 PATIENTS

Bisphosphonates are used in the management of bone metastasis of different types of carcinoma and multiple myeloma. They are highly effective in bone resorption caused by osteoporosis. This study aims to monitor the patients diagnosed with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ), who had received or who were receiving bisphosphonates. The study presents 28 cases of BRONJ monitored over an average period of 9 months. The healing rate was 25% and alter treatment, 28.5% of the patients were downgraded one stage in the classification. In 78.6% of cases, the trigger was dental extraction. There is an impetuous need for multidisciplinary collaboration among the oncologist, the rheumatologist, the maxillofacial surgeon and the dentist for a correct management of this disease.