The Journal of the American Dental Association
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 136, No 12, 1658-1668.
© 2005 American Dental Association

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow A correction has been published
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by MIGLIORATI, C. A.
Right arrow Articles by WOO, S.-B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by MIGLIORATI, C. A.
Right arrow Articles by WOO, S.-B.
Related Collections
Right arrow Infection Control

COVER STORY

JADA Continuing Education

Managing the care of patients with bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis

An American Academy of Oral Medicine position paper



CESAR A. MIGLIORATI, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., JEFFREY CASIGLIA, D.M.D., JOEL EPSTEIN, D.M.D., M.S.D., F.R.C.D.(C.), PETER L. JACOBSEN, Ph.D., D.D.S., MICHAEL A. SIEGEL, D.D.S., M.S. and SOOK-BIN WOO, D.M.D.


   ABSTRACT
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
Background. This position paper addresses the prevention of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis (BON) and the management of care of patients with cancer and/or osteoporosis who are receiving bisphosphonates and who have BON or are at risk of developing it.

Methods. The authors reviewed the literature available on this newly described oral complication. Information of interest included bisphosphonates, the medications associated with this oral complication; the patient population at risk of developing BON and the diseases being treated with this class of medications; the clinical presentation of the oral lesions; guidelines for managing the care of patients who develop BON; the prevention of this complication based on current knowledge; and recommendations for routine dental treatment of patients receiving bisphosphonates.

Results. There is strong evidence that bisphosphonate therapy is the common link in patients with BON. The pathobiological mechanism leading to BON may have to do with the inhibition of bone remodeling and decreased intraosseous blood flow caused by bisphosphonates. People at risk include patients with multiple myeloma and patients with cancer metastatic to bone who are receiving intravenous bisphosphonates, as well as patients taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. The risk of developing complications appears to increase with time of use of the medication. There are no guidelines based on evidence, and the clinical management of the oral complication is based on expert opinion.

Conclusion. Prevention of BON is the best approach to management of this complication. Existing protocols to manage the care of patients who will receive radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used until specific guidelines for BON are developed.

Key Words: Osteonecrosis; bisphosphonates; jaw; cancer metastasis; skeletal metastasis; oral complication; osteoporosis

Recently, a new oral complication of cancer treatment was identified: bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis (BON). In this position paper, our goals are to educate the community of practicing dentists about bisphosphonates, the medications associated with this oral complication; the patient population at risk and the diseases being treated with this class of medications; the clinical presentation of the oral lesions of BON; the guidelines for the management of care of patients who develop BON; the prevention of this complication based on current knowledge; and recommendations for the routine dental treatment of patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy. These recommendations are based on expert opinion because at this time, there are no available randomized controlled trials that support any effect on patient management and outcomes.

Prevention of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis is the best approach to management of this complication.

The oral lesions associated with bisphosphonates are similar in appearance to those of radiation-induced osteonecrosis. Clinically, they appear as ragged oral mucosal ulcerations that expose underlying bone and often are extremely painful.1,2 The lesions are persistent and do not respond to conventional treatment modalities such as débridement, antibiotic therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The presence of these lesions complicates the oncological, nutritional and oral management of affected patients.


   BACKGROUND
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
A review of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of inorganic pyrophosphate that have a high affinity for calcium. They clear rapidly from the circulation, bind to bone mineral and concentrate selectively in bone. If not incorporated into the bone’s mineral matrix, bisphosphonates are eliminated in urine.37

Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic activity.6 All bisphosphonate compounds accumulate over extended periods of time in mineralized bone matrix. Depending on the duration of the treatment and the specific bisphosphonate prescribed, the drug may remain in the body for years.8 During bone resorption, bisphosphonates are released from the bone and may be either reincorporated into newly formed bone or phagocytized by osteoclasts.6 The latter process results in loss of osteoclasts’ ability to resorb bone and promote apoptosis or programmed cell death. Osteoblast-induced osteoclastic bone resorption is another important action that may be affected by bisphosphonates.911 Therefore, physiologic bone deposition and remodeling are severely compromised in patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy.12,13 Additionally, bisphosphonates have antiangiogenic properties and may be directly tumoricidal, making them an important agent in cancer therapy.14,15

Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone and hypercalcemia of malignancy. In patients with osteoporosis, it is expected that bisphosphonates will arrest bone loss and increase bone density, decreasing the risk of pathologic fracture resulting from progressive bone loss.16 Bisphosphonates are given to patients with cancer to help control bone loss resulting from metastatic skeletal lesions.3,6 They reduce skeletal-related events associated with multiple myeloma (such as fractures) and metastatic solid tumors (such as breast, lung and prostate cancers) in the bones.6,1723 The physician’s decision regarding which type of bisphosphonate to use depends on the type of medical condition being treated and the potency of the drug required. For example, orally administered bisphosphonates often are used in patients with osteoporosis, while the injectable bisphosphonates are used in patients with cancer who develop primary lesions of bone or skeletal metastasis.

Chemical structure and antiresorptive potencies. Bisphosphonates structurally resemble naturally occurring polyphosphates (pyrophosphates) and have demonstrated similar physicochemical effects. It is known that the parachlorophenol moiety central to the chemical structure of bisphosphonates is essential for binding to hydroxyapatite and for affinity to the skeleton.6 Chemical variations of the lateral side chains R1 and R2 are one of the examples that can be observed in Figure 1Go.



View larger version (35K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Chemical structure of bisphosphonates demonstrating that the manipulation of the basic structure will change the biological activity and the potency of the drug. Adapted with permission of Harvey Whitney Books from Licata.6

 
As seen in Table 1Go, the presence of either an amino-terminal group or a cyclic nitrogen-containing side chain increases resorptive potency logarithmically.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 1 ANTIRESORPTIVE POTENCY OF BISPHOSPHONATES OBSERVED IN HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS.*

 

   PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF BISPHOSPHONATE-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
The exact mechanism that leads to the induction of BON is unknown. However, risk factors have been recognized and may be classified as systemic and local (Table 2Go, page 1661).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 2 RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BISPHOSPHONATE-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS.

 
Bone remodeling is a physiologic function that occurs in normal bone. It removes microdamage and replaces damaged bone with new elastic osseous tissue.8 This function takes place within small compartments called "bone multicellular units" (BMUs).24 These units are composed of osteoblasts (pre–bone-producing cells), osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and blood vessels. Bisphosphonates bind to bone and incorporate in the osseous matrix. During bone remodeling, the drug is taken up by osteoclasts and internalized in the cell cytoplasm, where it inhibits osteoclastic function and induces apoptotic cell death.4 It also inhibits osteoblast-mediated osteoclastic resorption and has antiangiogenic properties.3,7,25 As a result, bone turnover becomes profoundly suppressed and, over time, the bone shows little physiologic remodeling.8,13 The bone becomes brittle and unable to repair physiologic microfractures that occur in the human skeleton with daily activity.26,27 In the oral cavity, the maxilla and mandible are subjected to constant stress from masticatory forces.13 Thus, it is expected that physiologic microdamage and microfractures occur daily in the oral cavity. It is theorized that in a patient taking a bisphosphonate, the resulting microdamage is not repaired, setting the stage for oral osteonecrosis to occur.

The need for repair and remodeling is increased greatly when there is infection in the maxilla or mandible, and/or when an extraction is performed. In some patients using bisphosphonates, the bone is unable to meet these increased needs, both because of its reduced ability to remodel and turn over and because of hypovascularity, which results in osteonecrosis.28,29 Therefore, BON results from a complex interplay of bone metabolism, local trauma, increased demand for bone repair, infection and hypovascularity (Figure 2Go).



View larger version (52K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Pathobiological model for the development of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis. Bisphosphonates, alone or in association with oral cavity infection and trauma or systemic chemotherapy, may lead to cell necrosis and apoptosis. Sequence of events would include the decrease in bone resorption and decrease of activation of bone multicellular units, leading to decreased bone cellularity and reduced blood flow. At this point, bone remodeling is severely compromised. All these events combined would predispose the jawbones to osteonecrosis. Adapted with permission of John Wiley & Sons from Migliorati and colleagues.29

 
Patients receiving bisphosphonates intravenously clearly are more susceptible to BON than are those receiving the drug orally. Other comorbid factors may play a role, but the extent of their influence has yet to be determined. These include systemic factors such as the presence of diabetes mellitus, overall tumor burden and stage of disease; extent of skeletal involvement; the patient’s overall systemic health; the degree of immunosuppression; the patient’s history of stem cell transplantation; and the patient’s current and historical use of other medications such as chemotherapeutic agents or corticosteroids. In addition, patients with multiple myeloma are treated with other antiangiogenic agents such as thalidomide, glucocorticoids and bortezomib.3033 Local comorbid factors include oral health status, presence of infection (acute or chronic), history of radiation therapy and the presence of myeloma or metastatic cancer at the BON site.


   THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BISPHOSPHONATE-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
Recently, investigators have reported cases of BON in the medical and dental literature describing patients with various types of cancer receiving intravenous bisphosphonates to control and treat metastatic bone disease29,3453 (Table 3Go, page 1662). The patients used pamidronate and zoledronic acid. Additionally, investigators have reported a few cases of BON in patients taking oral doses of alendronate to treat osteoporosis or osteopenia. The use of bisphosphonates seemed to be the only common link in all cases reported. Some patients were being treated concomitantly with steroids.29,48,49


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 3 CASES OF BISPHOSPHONATE-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS REPORTED IN THE LITERATURE.*

 
The most common clinical history associated with this process is absent or delayed hard- and soft-tissue healing after dental extractions.29,36,41 Trauma induced by prosthodontic appliances also has been implicated in the initiation of this pathological process. In the early stages of oral BON, no radiographic manifestations can be seen. Patients usually are asymptomatic but may develop severe pain because of the necrotic bone becoming infected secondarily after it is exposed to the oral environment. The osteonecrosis often is progressive and may lead to extensive areas of bony exposure and dehiscence. When tissues are acutely infected, patients may complain of severe pain and lack of sensory sensation (paresthesia). This may be an indication of peripheral nerve compression (Figures 3GoGo [page 1664] and 4Go [page 1665]).



View larger version (102K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3 A. Patient with multiple myeloma who used the bisphosphonates pamidronate and zoledronic acid for years developed several areas of oral osteonecrosis. The left mandible had a large area of osteonecrosis that became secondarily infected, leading to the formation of an extraoral fistula.

 


View larger version (85K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3 B. The radiographic image of the mandible shows mottled cancellous bone.

 


View larger version (85K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Patient with multiple myeloma who used pamidronate and zoledronic acid for at least four years came to the emergency clinic with severe swelling and pain on the left mandible (A). Palpation of the area suggested a fracture. Intraoral examination revealed an extensive area of osteonecrosis (B) and the panoramic radiograph (C) confirmed a pathological fracture. Observe the progression of the osteonecrosis to fracture in six months. The fracture was surgically stabilized. The presence of a plamacytoma was confirmed in the area (D). The patient now is receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy in preparation for radiation therapy. Photos reproduced with permission of Dr. Steven I. Kaltman, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

 
In patients who develop BON spontaneously, the most common initial complaint is the sudden presence of intra-oral discomfort and the presence of roughness that may progress to traumatize the oral soft tissues surrounding the area of necrotic bone. Therefore, the diagnosis of BON is based on the medical and dental history of each patient, as well as the observation of clinical signs and symptoms of this pathological process.

Although several case series reports of this drug-associated complication have been published, there have been no documented uniform treatment strategies that would yield consistent resolution and healing of BON.41 In fact, many cases had poor outcomes in spite of therapy, progressing to extensive dehiscence and exposure of bone.41,48 Treatment strategies included local surgical débridement, bone curettage, local irrigation with antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.34,41 However, none of these therapeutic modalities has proven successful. Therefore, the inability to manage lesions of BON compromises the oncological, nutritional and oral management of affected patients. Prevention of this condition is of paramount importance for these patients so that they receive the anticancer therapies so necessary for the best possible outcome of their neoplastic disease.


   TREATMENT MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
The treatment of patients receiving oral or intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is principally preventive in nature. Other management considerations involve modification of the dental treatment plan for a patient taking bisphosphonate medications and institution of a management protocol for the dental patient who develops BON.

Preventive measures. BON is a newly documented oral complication, and consistently effective therapeutic measures have not yet been identified. The authors of one case series of 63 patients41 reported that several treatment protocols were attempted to treat BON. Treatment modalities included minor débridement under local anesthesia, major surgical sequestrectomies, marginal and segmental mandibular resections, partial and complete maxillectomies and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Despite the presence of vascularized bone at the surgical margins, no healing occurred in any of the patients treated in this study.41 For this reason, preventive measures are of paramount importance. Until prospective studies of BON provide information about effective treatment protocols, the best approach is prevention, with the dentist and the physician working collaboratively.

A dentist should see all patients before intravenous bisphosphonate therapy begins. Patients who have been given oral bisphosphonates within the last three months also should undergo a dental evaluation. Anecdotal evidence points to a low incidence of BON’s occurring less than six months after the beginning of bisphosphonate therapy. Therefore, needed dental therapy can be provided to these patients before the risk of developing BON increases.

Medical information that the dentist should obtain from the patient and the physician includes a complete review of all medical diagnoses, the diagnosis for which the patient will receive bisphosphonate therapy, history of cancer treatment and of oral complications associated with that treatment, expected toxicity resulting from the current treatment regimen, complete blood counts, the type of bisphosphonate that is going to be used and the administration protocol (including the expected duration of therapy). This medical information will guide the dentist in the development of a dental treatment plan that is based on the patient’s current dental needs and medical health.

It is recommended that dentists follow existing guidelines for a dental consultation for the prevention of oral complications of cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, prehematopoietic stem cell transplantation). Elimination of all potential sites of infection must be the primary objective of this consultation. The goal of therapy should be to attain a state of good oral and dental health so that during the active phase of bisphosphonate therapy, only three to six months of maintenance hygiene appointments will be necessary. In this consultation, the following should occur:

– A comprehensive extraoral and intraoral examination should be performed. A full-mouth radiographic series and a panoramic radiograph will help in the diagnosis of caries and periodontal disease, the evaluation of third molars and the identification of metastatic cancer and other bony pathology.
– The periodontal health status should be determined and appropriate therapy provided. Pocket elimination is of importance to reduce plaque accumulation, minimize chronic periodontal inflammation and minimize acute periodontal infections.
Extraction of teeth should be completed as soon as possible.
– Restorative dentistry should be performed to eliminate caries and defective restorations. Crowns and more extensive fixed prosthodontic work may not be appropriate for some patients. Prosthodontic appliances should be evaluated for fit, stability and occlusion. Necessary adjustments should be made.
Prophylaxis should be performed and oral hygiene instructions given. The patient also should be given information about BON and be made aware of the early signs of development of this condition. Once the active dental treatment is over, periodic follow-up visits should be scheduled to reinforce the importance of oral hygiene maintenance and to conduct a new oral examination.

Management of dental care for patients with BON. Following are recommendations for the management of the dental care of patients with lesion(s) of BON.

– Routine restorative care may be provided. Local anesthetic can be used as necessary.
– Scaling and prophylaxis should be done as atraumatically as possible, with gentle soft-tissue management.
– Avoid dental extractions if possible unless the teeth have a mobility score of 3 or greater. Extractions should be performed as atraumatically as possible. Patients should be followed up weekly for the first four weeks afterward, then monthly until the sockets are completely closed and healed. If there is an indication for antibiotic use, amoxicillin—alone or in combination with clindamycin—may help to reduce the incidence of local infection.
– Teeth that are extensively carious should be considered for endodontic therapy. They should be prepared as overdenture abutments. The crown should be cut off at the gingival margin. This is particularly important in patients in whom a previous extraction had resulted in BON. In these patients, extraction should be avoided whenever possible.
– The area of BON should be treated only with the objective of eliminating sharp edges of bone that may traumatize soft tissues. This is particularly important when the lingual aspect of the posterior mandibular arch is involved. Superficial débridement may be performed if necessary to eliminate areas that may further traumatize adjacent tissues. Clinicians should follow up with these patients every two to three weeks to reevaluate the areas and to ensure that they have not become suppurative. If the area around the exposed bone exhibits tender erythema and suppuration and/or sinus tracts, the patient should be treated with antibiotics until the areas resolve. Microbiologic culture and sensitivity tests may be helpful; however, the clinician must realize that culture results do not always guarantee microbiological etiology since host oral flora also can colonize the necrotic bony surface. Use of a chlorhexidine mouthrinse three or four times a day also is recommended to reduce bacterial load and colonization.

A surgical approach with the aim of removing the necrotic bone and closing the site with healthy mucosa may be considered for patients with multiple myeloma who require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In a patient with exposed necrotic bone, the risk of undergoing high-dose conditioning chemotherapy in preparation for transplantation is unclear. The necrotic area may act as a portal of entry for bacteria; it may traumatize the adjacent soft tissues and cause ulceration, forming another portal for bacterial contamination. Furthermore, surgical manipulation may not lead to the closure of the necrotic site but to further increase of the osseous breakdown and dehiscence. If a surgical procedure is needed, patients should be informed of the possible risks and benefits. The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of BON is not known at this time.

– Soft vinyl appliances or obturators may help cover exposed necrotic bone to prevent further trauma to soft tissues. These appliances must not rest on the necrotic tissues. The interior portion of the flanges must be relieved so as not to deliver pressure to the diseased tissues but rather to serve as a barrier to protect them. Therefore, these appliances should not be designed for use during mastication.
– Any existing prosthetic appliances should be re-evaluated to ensure that they fit well. Relining a denture with a soft liner to promote a better fit and to minimize soft-tissue trauma and pressure points is recommended.
– Odontogenic infections should be treated aggressively with systemic antibiotics. When possible, identification of the responsible microorganisms and respective antibiogram is indicated. If empiric therapy is to be used, although penicillin is the first-choice antibiotic in dentistry, amoxicillin and/or clindamycin provide better bone penetration and a wider spectrum of coverage.

Routine dental treatment of patients taking bisphosphonates. Routine dental treatment of patients taking bisphosphonates is a challenge. There are no prospective scientific studies to support specific recommendations regarding whether providing dental treatment for patients taking a bisphosphonate drug places the patient at any risk of developing BON. A recent Internet-based survey54 evaluated the incidence of BON in 1,203 patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonate therapy for the treatment of myeloma (904) or breast cancer (299). The patients were assessed for age, sex, diagnosis, type and duration of bisphosphonate treatment, the presence of a variety of dental problems and dental treatment. Of the 904 patients with myeloma, 62 had a diagnosis of BON and 54 had findings considered suspicious for early BON, giving a total of 116 of 904 patients (12.8 percent). Of the patients with breast cancer, 13 had the diagnosis of BON and 23 had suspicious findings, for a total of 36 of 299 (12 percent). The same study50 evaluated the time to onset of BON in patients receiving zoledronic acid or pamidronate. With data censored at 36 months, the researchers estimated that 10 percent of the patients taking zoledronic acid and 4 percent of those taking pamidronate developed BON. Furthermore, without censoring, the mean time to the onset of BON was 18 months for patients receiving zoledronic acid therapy and six years for patients receiving pamidronate therapy. This study showed that 81 percent of the patients with myeloma and 69 percent of the patients with breast cancer who developed BON had underlying dental disease, such as infection, or had had a dental extraction, as compared with 33 percent of the patients who did not develop BON. Another study in Europe reported that the percentage of cases of BON in 194 patients with multiple myeloma and breast cancer treated with zoledronic acid was 4.6 percent.51

The role of orally administered alendronate. There have been only a few cases of BON in patients receiving alendronate, and it is unclear if these patients had other systemic or local comorbid factors.29,36,41 Questions regarding the viability of dental implants in patients taking alendronate for osteoporosis abound. The risk of developing BON after dental extractions, implant placement, and periodontal and other surgical procedures for patients taking oral bisphosphonates such as alendronate is unknown. The duration of the physiologic effect of these drugs is variable. Evidence shows that severe suppression of bone remodeling may occur during long-term alendronate therapy13 and that bone resorption and formation markers may remain suppressed for the time during which the patient is taking the medication.8,12 At this time, it appears that the incidence of BON manifesting in patients taking alendronate for osteoporosis is low.

Discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy. There is no scientific evidence to support discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy to promote healing of necrotic osseous tissues in the oral cavity. The discontinuation of therapy must be discussed with the oncologist who prescribed the bisphosphonate for the patient. One must consider the risks and benefits of discontinuation. The half-life of intravenous bisphosphonates is reported to be years. Therefore, cessation of bisphosphonate therapy for a few months may have little effect on the bisphosphonate that has already incorporated into bone. However, other effects of bisphosphonates, such as the antiangiogenic activity, may be reduced, and this may help healing of the overlying mucosa. It is unclear whether stopping bisphosphonate therapy for a few months will increase skeletal-related events such as spinal cord fractures. Until prospective studies can be performed, institutions likely will come up with their own policies based on their own experiences and their patient population.


   THE ROLE OF THE DENTIST
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
It is imperative that the general dentist and the dental specialist, as well as other medical professionals, become familiar with this condition.5254 It is equally important that dentists take a complete medical and medication history for every patient. Dentists should document carefully any history of cancer treated with bisphosphonates and, if they are unfamiliar with the condition, contact a local dentist familiar with it so that preventive measures as described in this position paper can be instituted promptly. The more information dentists can obtain about this unusual condition, the better they will be able to serve their patients in the future. Guidelines available are based mostly on individual experience in the management of BON.55


   CONCLUSION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 
As new information becomes available and the results of well-designed prospective clinical trials are known, better preventive guidelines and patient management protocols based on scientific evidence will be developed. In the meantime, communication between dentists and medical oncologists must be improved to allow patients to have the best of both dental and medical treatment. Coordination of medical and dental care is of importance in the establishment of measures aimed at preventing the development of BON. Future research must focus on the understanding of the pathobiologic mechanisms that lead to the development of BON. Prospective studies will allow for the identification of significant risk factors that place a patient at risk of developing BON. Because information available regarding the risk of developing BON is based on expert opinion and clinical experience, patients who are receiving bisphosphonate therapy must be informed of the possibility of BON’s developing after routine dental treatment. A consensus must be reached among the patient, the dentist and the physician before dental therapy begins.


   FOOTNOTES
 

Dr. Migliorati is an associate professor, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, 3200 S. University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33328-2018, e-mail "migliora{at}nova.edu". Address reprint requests to Dr. Migliorati.


Dr. Casiglia is a lecturer, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston.


Dr. Epstein is professor and head, Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago.


Dr. Jacobsen is a professor, Department of Pathology and Medicine, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco.


Dr. Siegel is a professor and the chair, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.


Dr. Woo is an assistant professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston.


   REFERENCES
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND
 PATHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF...
 THE CLINICAL SIGNS AND...
 TREATMENT MANAGEMENT...
 THE ROLE OF THE...
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 

  1. Epstein JB, Wong FL, Stevenson-Moore P. Osteoradionecrosis: clinical experience and a proposal for classification. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1987;45:104–10.[Medline]

  2. Epstein JB, Rea G, Wong FL, Spinelli J, Stevenson-Moore P. Osteonecrosis: study of the relationship of dental extractions in patients receiving radiotherapy. Head Neck Surg 1987;10:48–54.[Medline]

  3. Rogers MJ, Watts DJ, Russell RG. Overview of bisphosphonates. Cancer 1997;80(supplement 8):1652–60.[Medline]

  4. Russell RG, Rogers MJ, Frith JC, et al. The pharmacology of bisphosphonates and new insights into their mechanisms of action. J Bone Miner Res 1999;14(supplement 2):53–65.

  5. Lin JH, Russell G, Gertz B. Pharmacokinetics of alendronate: an overview. Int J Clin Pract Suppl 1999;101:18–26.[Medline]

  6. Licata AA. Discovery, clinical development, and therapeutic uses of bisphosphonates. Ann Pharmacother 2005;39:668–77.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  7. Fleisch H. Development of bisphosphonates. Breast Cancer Res 2002;4(1):30–4.[Medline]

  8. Ott SM. Long-term safety of bisphosphonates. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90:1897–9.[Free Full Text]

  9. Sato M, Grasser W, Endo N, et al. Bisphosphonate action: alendronate localization in rat bone and effects on osteoblast ultrastructure. J Clin Invest 1991;88:2095–105.

  10. Xing L, Boyce BF. Regulation of apoptosis in osteoclasts and osteoblastic cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005;328:709–20.[Medline]

  11. Nagashima M, Sakai A, Uchida S, Tanaka S, Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Bisphosphonate (YM529) delays the repair of cortical bone defect after drill-hole injury by reducing terminal differentiation of osteoblasts in the mouse femur. Bone 2005;36:502–11.[Medline]

  12. Ensrud KE, Barrett-Connor EL, Schwartz A, et al. Randomized trial of effect of alendronate continuation versus discontinuation in women with low BMD: results from the Fracture Intervention Trial long-term extension. J Bone Miner Res 2004;19:1259–69.[Medline]

  13. Odvina CV, Zerwekh JE, Rao DS, Maalouf N, Gottschalk FA, Pak CY. Severely suppressed bone turnover: a potential complication of alendronate therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90:1294–301.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  14. Wood J, Bonjean K, Ruetz S, et al. Novel antiangiogenic effects of the bisphosphonate compound zoledronic acid. J Phamacol Exp Ther 2002;302(3):1055–61.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  15. Fournier P, Boissier S, Filleur S, et al. Bisphosphonates inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and testosterone-stimulated vascular regrowth in the ventral prostate in castrated rats. Cancer Res 2002;62:6538–44.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  16. Watts NB. Treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1998;27:419–39.[Medline]

  17. Berenson JR, Rosen LS, Howell A, et al. Zoledronic acid reduces skeletal-related events in patients with osteolytic metastases. Cancer 2001;91:1191–200.[Medline]

  18. Coleman RE. Future directions in the treatment and prevention of bone metastases. Am J Clin Oncol 2002;25(6 supplement 1):S32–8.[Medline]

  19. Ashcroft AJ, Davies FE, Morgan GJ. Aetiology of bone disease and the role of bisphosphonates in multiple myeloma. Lancet Oncol 2003;4:284–92.[Medline]

  20. Fleisch H. Bisphosphonates in bone disease: From the laboratory to the patients. 4th ed. San Diego: Academic Press; 2000:34–5.

  21. Hillner BE, Ingle JN, Chlebowski RT, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology 2003 update on the role of bisphosphonates and bone health issues in women with breast cancer [published erratum appears in J Clin Oncol 2004;22(7):1351]. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4042–57.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  22. Wellington K, Goa KL. Zoledronic acid: a review of its use in the management of bone metastases and hypercalcemia of malignancy. Drugs 2003;63:417–37.[Medline]

  23. Berenson JR. Recommendations for zoledronic acid treatment of patients with bone metastases. Oncologist 2005;10:52–62.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  24. Hauge EM, Qvesel D, Eriksen EF, Mosekilde L, Melsen F. Cancellous bone remodeling occurs in specialized compartments lined by cells expressing osteoblastic markers. J Bone Miner Res 2001;16: 1575–82.[Medline]

  25. Sietsema WK, Ebetino FH, Salvagno AM, Bevan JA. Antiresorptive dose-dependent relationship across three generations of bisphosphonates. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1989;15:389–96.[Medline]

  26. Whyte MP, Wenkert D, Clements KL, McAlister WH, Mumm S. Bisphosphonate-induced osteopetrosis. N Engl J Med 2003;349:457–63.[Free Full Text]

  27. Marini JC. Do bisphosphonates make children’s bones better or brittle? N Engl J Med 2003;349:423–6.[Free Full Text]

  28. Hellstein JW, Marek CL. Bisphosphonate osteochemonecrosis (bisphossy jaw): is this phossy jaw of the 21st century? J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2005;63:682–9.[Medline]

  29. Migliorati CA, Schubert MM, Peterson DE, Seneda LM. Bisphosphate-associated osteonecrosis of mandibular and maxillary bone: an emerging oral complication of supportive cancer therapy. Cancer 2005;104:83–93.[Medline]

  30. Munshi NC, Barlogie B, Desikan KR, Wilson C. Novel approaches in myeloma therapy. Semin Oncol 1999;26(5 supplement 13):28–34.

  31. Clerc D, Fermand JP, Mariette X. Treatment of multiple myeloma. Joint Bone Spine 2003;70:173–86.

  32. Hussein MA. New treatment strategies for multiple myeloma. Semin Hematol 2004;41(4 supplement 7):2–8.[Medline]

  33. Chauhan D, Hideshima T, Mitsiades C, Richardson, Anderson KC. Proteasome inhibitor therapy in multiple myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther 2005;4:686–92.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

  34. Marx RE, Stern D. Oral and maxillo-facial pathology: A rationale for diagnosis and treatment. Hanover Park, Ill.: Quintessence; 2003: 36–8.

  35. Migliorati CA. Bisphosphonates and oral cavity avascular bone necrosis. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4253–4.[Free Full Text]

  36. Marx RE. Pamidronate (Aredia) and zoledronate (Zometa) induced avascular necrosis of the jaws: a growing epidemic. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003;61:1115–7.[Medline]

  37. Vannucchi AM, Ficarra G, Antonioli E, Bosi A. Osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with zoledronate therapy in a patient with multiple myeloma. Br J Haematol 2005;128:738.[Medline]

  38. Wang J, Goodger NM, Pogrel MA. Osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with cancer chemotherapy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003;61: 1104–7.[Medline]

  39. Pogrel MA. Bisphosphonates and bone necrosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004;62:391–2.

  40. Estilo CS, Van Poznak CH, Williams T, et al. Osteonecrosis of the maxilla and mandible in patients treated with bisphosphonates: a retrospective study (abstract). Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol 2004;22:750.

  41. Ruggiero SL, Mehrotra B, Rosenberg TJ, Engroff SL. Osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with the use of bisphosphonates: a review of 63 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004;62:527–34.[Medline]

  42. Lugassy G, Shaham R, Nemets A, Ben-Dor D, Nahlieli O. Severe osteomyelitis of the jaw in long-term survivors of multiple myeloma: a new clinical entity. Am J Med 2004;117:440–1.[Medline]

  43. Schuster MW, Dymek JM. Oral cavity avascular bone necrosis: a newly recognized complication of intravenous (IV) bisphosphonate therapy in cancer patients (abstract 4905). Blood 2004;104(11).

  44. Zarychanski R, Elphee E, Embil J, Walton P, Johnston JB. Osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with pamidronate therapy (abstract 4908). Blood 2004;104(11).

  45. Takkar SG, Isada C, Englund K, et al. Bisphosphonate therapy associated with an increased incidence of mandibular/maxillary osteomyelitis in multiple myeloma patients (abstract 4925). Blood 2004;104(11).

  46. Melo MD, Obeid G. Osteonecrosis of the maxilla in a patient with history of bisphosphonate therapy. J Can Dent Assoc 2005;71:111–3.

  47. Purcell PM, Boyd IW. Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Med J Aust 2005;182:417–8.[Medline]

  48. Bagan JV, Murillo J, Jimenez Y, et al. Avascular jaw osteonecrosis in association with cancer chemotherapy: series of 10 cases. J Oral Pathol Med 2005;34:120–3.[Medline]

  49. Schirmer I, Peters H, Reichart PA, Durkop H. Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw [in German]. Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir 2005;9(4):239–45.[Medline]

  50. Viale PH, Lin A. Exposed bone in oral cavities. J Clin Oncol Nursing 2005;9(3):355–7.

  51. Maerevoet M, Martin C, Duck L. Osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonates (letter). N Engl J Med 2005;353:100–1.

  52. Sarathy AP, Bourgeois Jr SL, Goodell GG. Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws and endodontic treatment: two case reports. J Endod 2005;31(10):759–63.[Medline]

  53. Ficarra G, Beninati F, Rubino I, Vannucchi A, Longo G, Tonelli P, Pini Prato G. Osteonecrosis of the jaws in periodontal patients with a history of bisphosphonates treatment. J Clin Periodontol 2005;32: 1123–8.[Medline]

  54. Durie BGM, Katz M, McCoy J, Crowley J. Osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonates (letter). N Engl J Med 2005;353:99.[Free Full Text]

  55. Expert panel recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaws, June 2004: Professional education material. East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis Pharmaceutical Company; 2004.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Ann OncolHome page
F. Jadu, L. Lee, M. Pharoah, D. Reece, and L. Wang
A retrospective study assessing the incidence, risk factors and comorbidities of pamidronate-related necrosis of the jaws in multiple myeloma patients
Ann. Onc., December 1, 2007; 18(12): 2015 - 2019.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Dent. Res.Home page
S.L. Ruggiero and S.J. Drew
Osteonecrosis of the Jaws and Bisphosphonate Therapy
J. Dent. Res., November 1, 2007; 86(11): 1013 - 1021.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Khamaisi, E. Regev, N. Yarom, B. Avni, E. Leitersdorf, I. Raz, and S. Elad
Possible Association between Diabetes and Bisphosphonate-Related Jaw Osteonecrosis
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2007; 92(3): 1172 - 1175.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
The Annals of PharmacotherapyHome page
C. D Krueger, P. M West, M. Sargent, A. E Lodolce, and A S. Pickard
Bisphosphonate-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Ann. Pharmacother., February 1, 2007; 41(2): 276 - 284.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANN INTERN MEDHome page
A. Grey and T. Cundy
Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Ann Intern Med, November 21, 2006; 145(10): 791 - 791.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
IBMS BoneKEyHome page
A. Boyde
Jaw Bone Necrosis and Bisphosphonates: Microanatomical Questions
IBMS BoneKEy, September 1, 2006; 3(9): 19 - 23.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow A correction has been published
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by MIGLIORATI, C. A.
Right arrow Articles by WOO, S.-B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by MIGLIORATI, C. A.
Right arrow Articles by WOO, S.-B.
Related Collections
Right arrow Infection Control


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS